Now and Men

Can poetry change the way people see the world? Can it help men to deal with and open up about their own vulnerabilities – and help to shift ideas about manhood? We talk to 21-year-old spoken word poet Sam Browne about how it has had exactly these impacts on him, and how he is now using poetry to express his deepest feelings and struggles – and to push back against anti-feminist forces such as the manosphere. In the process, Sam’s art highlights alternative ways of being for young men centred on love, care, and connection – whilst giving voice to the pain of trying to fit into a patriarchal society in which issues such as mental health continue to be bottled up.Sam reads out four of his moving poems, and we discuss the ideas behind them and how they connect to contemporary pressures of masculinity. Sam shares his own journey into poetry via comedy, from being an active participant in ‘lad culture’ to finding himself through the arts, and learning about then starting to speak out about gender-based violence thanks to the women around him. He articulates the liberation of ridding oneself of the shackles of gender norms, finding what we are passionate about, and not being afraid to show that we care – and the power of the arts to help us do that.Sam is from Southend, Essex in the UK, and his performances have developed an online following of 100,000+ and tens of millions of views. He has won awards for his activism as well as numerous poetry slams, and recently featured in the BBC documentary ‘Eastenders Investigates: The Manosphere’. He now performs at conferences, summits, in schools and at some of the biggest poetry nights in the world.Sam’s website (including tour info)InstagramLinkedInTikTokTimeline:Intro (00:00-02:40)Poem: Hinge and Harry Kane (02:40-04:33)Navigating contemporary dating pressures (04:33-09:29)Sam’s journey into poetry (09:29-15:04)The relationship between poetry and masculinity (15:04-20:49)Unravelling internalised misogyny (20:49-29:22)Poem: Like a Man (29:22-30:39)The intergenerational transmission of manhood (30:39-36:31)The ‘therapeutic self-destruction’ men engage in (36:31-40:06)Break (40:06-40:16)Poem: Ben’s purpose (40:16-41:17)The transformative power of relationships (41:17-49:40)Advice for other young men (49:40-52:59)Poem: Flowers (52:59-54:24)Conclusion (54:24-01:04:14)More info:It’s Never Over, Jeff BuckleyCharles BukowskiMumble rapBalletBoyzBilly ElliotJoelle TaylorMusic: 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury. Please note that the transcript is a rough estimation and is likely to contain errors - please do not reproduce it without permission.

What are militarised masculinities, and how are they influencing the many current conflicts around the world, including the US and Israel’s war against Iran? What are the main drivers of men’s involvement in armed conflict? And what does it mean to mobilise men for feminist peace? In this episode Dean Peacock reflects on the issues that underpin structural and interpersonal violence in our multi-polar world. Whilst it is important to focus on patriarchal norms and pressures around masculinities, he argues that other factors – such as economic interests, the arms industry, resource extraction, land dispossession, state repression, corruption, colonialism, inequality and poverty – are also critical and need to be addressed in the pursuit of peace-building. Drawing on his work and that of colleagues, particularly at WILPF (the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom), he examines how these forces contribute to conflict in countries across the Middle East, Ukraine and parts of Africa, and what needs to be done in response.As Commissioner on the Lancet Commission on Gun Violence and Health, and co-leader of the newly launched Global Coalition for WHO Action on Firearm Violence, Dean also unpicks the ways in which firearms and gun violence link to men and masculinities, including through marketing practices and the video games industry. He identifies too the significance of alcohol abuse and alcohol marketing in fuelling interpersonal violence, in South Africa and many other countries.We conclude by talking about Dean’s personal journey through this work, from his early involvement in activism for peace and equality through campaigning against apartheid in the 1980s, to some of the early profeminist campaigns and movements engaging with men about violence prevention and gender equality in the US, South Africa, and internationally.Based in Cape Town and Los Angeles, Dean has worked for over three decades to advance gender equality, violence prevention, and health equity. Alongside his current roles, he was Director of the WILPF’s ‘Mobilising Men for Feminist Peace’ initiative. He is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Sonke Gender Justice, a leading international NGO based in South Africa, and co-founder and former Global Co-Chair of the MenEngage Alliance. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health, a Visiting Fellow at the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Gender Centre, and an Affiliated Scholar at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School of Peace Studies. His writing has been published widely in books, academic journals, and global media outlets.Read Dean’s publicationsFollow him on LinkedInEpisode timeline:The importance of a decolonial approach (02:52-05:27)Making sense of the surge in war and militarism (05:27-12:56)The role of militarised masculinities in conflicts such as the war on Iran (12:56-17:12)The drivers of men’s involvement in armed conflicts (17:12-27:46)How work with men can address structural forces (27:46-37:30)BreakAddressing the firearms industry and its exploitation of gender norms (37:40-47:40)Dean’s personal journey through this work (47:40-54:48)Should ‘transforming masculinities’ be our end goal? (54:48-59:10)Conclusion (59:16-01:07:19)More info:‘Gender Equality and Men: Lessons from Practice’, edited by SandyThe Khoisan peopleMobilising Men for Feminist Peace podcast‘Evolving Alliances: Men and Women – Access to Land, Gender Relations and Conflict in Anglophone Cameroon’, by Lotsmart FonjongPete Muller PhotographyACOOC, Colombia‘A more generous embrace: Why addressing the needs of adolescent boys and men is essential to an effective humanitarian response in Cameroon’s North West and South West’, by Delphine BrunDr David Duriesmith – researcher on militarised masculinitiesWhat Works to Prevent Violence Against WomenDiepsloot, Johannesburg‘Rethinking Primary Prevention’, by Jess Hill and Prof Michael SalterProf Mark Bellis – researcher on the commercial determinants of violenceDr Roger StahlWHO Respect FrameworkWHO Inspire FrameworkDr Jackson KatzDr Finn MackayRay Acheson‘Against Masculinity’, by Nathan RobinsonBerta Cáceres‘If….’, by Lindsay AndersonMusic: 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury. Please note that the transcript is a rough estimation and is likely to contain errors - please do not reproduce it without permission.

The need to engage with men and boys about issues such as consent, healthy relationships, and preventing violence and abuse is more urgent than ever at a time when world leaders such as Donald Trump and spaces like the Manosphere are projecting dominating, destructive images of masculinity around the world. This certainly applies in Canada, where the spread of far-right politics next-door in the US is having a significant impact – and where Prime Minister Mark Carney is arguably demonstrating a different kind of leadership. Our guest, Landon Kenney, is someone who is working to show that men and boys don’t have to be angry, tough and violent – and that they can work together with women, girls and gender diverse people to create a more equitable and peaceful society. He coordinates the Male Allies Program for the Sexual Assault Support Centre of the Waterloo Region in Ontario (SASC), Canada.In this episode, Landon tells us about the work that SASC and the Male Allies Program have been doing since 2008 to prevent sexual and gender-based violence with men, boys, and organisations such as Hockey Canada and the Ontario Hockey League. We discuss the importance of changing macho sporting cultures, highlighted by the sexual assault scandal in Canadian ice hockey in recent years. We also talk about hopeful shifts in cultural discourses about masculine norms, exemplified in the recent hugely popular Canadian TV series ‘Heated Rivalry’. We explore how masculinity is depicted in this powerful show, and the potential it has to help men and boys open up about intimacy, vulnerability, and sexuality.Find out more:Sexual Assault Support Centre of the Waterloo RegionSASC’s Public Education ResourcesThe Male Allies ProgramLandon KenneyWe also discuss a new practical guide produced by the UK End Violence Against Women Coalition and others to help talk about the ways in which violence against women and girls is being weaponised for anti-immigration narratives: https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/not-in-our-name-womens-rights-groups-reclaim-the-narrative-on-vawg/Episode timeline:IntroWhat the Male Allies Program involves (02:41-04:29)How the program was initiated by the Sexual Assault Support Centre (04:29-07:48)Landon’s own journey into this work (07:48-11:00)Being accountable to women (11:00-17:36)The impacts violence prevention work has on men and boys (17:36-21:38)How Trump has affected Canadian society and Mark Carney's response (21:38-29:17)BreakWorking to create change in ice hockey and sport (29:26-33:07)Addressing hypermasculine sports cultures (33:07-36:46)The Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal (36:46-40:40)Heated Rivalry and its portrayal of masculinity (40:40-47:09)The impact of the show on Canadian society (47:09-50:53)Professional male athletes coming out as gay (50:53-53:34)The future for profeminist work in Canada (53:34-55:42)Conclusion (55:49-01:02:36)More info:Gisèle Pelicot – ‘A Hymn to Life’Manon Garcia – ‘Living with Men’bell hooks – ‘The Will to Change’Steven Roberts – ‘Why straight men’s embrace of a queer sports romance TV show matters right now’Jacob TierneyCanada ‘Freedom Convoy’ protestMusic: 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury. Please note that the transcript is a rough estimation and is likely to contain errors - please do not reproduce it without permission.

Many men are now engaging in a variety of behaviours traditionally associated with femininity – such as trying to make their bodies look good, worrying about their fertility, and opening up about their emotions. But what is driving these shifts? And to what extent do such practices challenge conventional norms of masculinity, or reinforce them? In this episode, Prof Brendan Gough discusses his wide-ranging research on contemporary constructions of masculinity. We explore the pressures patriarchal societies place on men: to be fit and healthy, lean and muscular, sexually virile, and self-reliant, and how these combine with neoliberal expectations that disciplining our bodies and having good wellbeing is an individual responsibility. We also discuss the ways in which these norms are being subtly challenged and changed, for example through efforts to encourage men to be open and honest about their feelings and struggles such as depression, and provide support to one other, including in online communities. Brendan reflects on what can help to steer this change in healthy directions – and how spaces such as the Manosphere may be exacerbating men’s insecurities about their bodies. He also considers the strengths and weaknesses of the UK government’s new men’s health strategy and health promotion efforts aimed at men.Brendan is a critical social psychologist and qualitative researcher based at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. Over several decades, he has published a wealth of research on men and masculinities, particularly in relation to health, lifestyle, and wellbeing.University profile pageLinkedIn‘Contemporary Masculinities: Embodiment, Emotion and Wellbeing’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018)‘(In)Fertile Male Bodies: Masculinities and Lifestyle Management in Neoliberal Times’ (with Dr Esmée Hanna, Emerald, 2022)Episode timelineIntroWhat sparked Brendan’s interest in masculinity (02:08-05:40)The positives as well as harms of online spaces (05:40-09:36)Men’s complex current relationship with gender equality (09:36-13:44)‘Healthism’ and its connections to masculinity (13:44-15:40)The use of masculine norms in health promotion (15:40-19:55)The UK govt’s men’s healthy strategy (19:55-24:29)BreakMen’s struggles with body image (24:41-28:53)How attention towards appearance is rationalised in masculine terms (28:53-32:00)‘Metrosexuality’ and grooming practices (32:00-34:01)Pressures to have a lean and muscular body (34:01-36:18)The impact of infertility on men (36:18-41:39)Men’s bodies as machines (41:39-42:34)What helps men share their experiences of depression (42:34-45:58)The use of ‘masculine capital’ to legitimise vulnerability (45:58-47:57)The value of peer support (47:57-49:45)The influence of the manosphere (49:45-51:40)Conclusion (52:12-01:00:30)More infoMargaret Wetherell and Nigel EdleyAndy’s Man ClubHybrid masculinityDr Lucy EldredMen’s Sheds UKUK Govt's Men’s Health Strategy for EnglandProf Paul GaldasLooksmaxxingDr Matthew Hall – ‘Metrosexual masculinities’Teddy BoysNew RomanticsDandiesPierre Bourdieu

Since 2021, Now and Men has been initiating conversations about changing masculinities and challenging norms. New episodes drop every month - listen wherever you get your podcasts, and share with anyone interested in men's role in gender equality!Music: 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury.

Fathers on low-incomes and young fathers are often portrayed in media and politics as ‘feckless’ and ‘failing’. Father absence is blamed for a wide range of social problems, including crime, antisocial behaviour, and poor educational outcomes. These discourses have intensified in the UK in recent months with renewed assertions about a ‘crisis of masculinity’. However, Professor Anna Tarrant’s research over many years demonstrates that most fathers, including those who are young or experiencing poverty, very much want to care for their children. Yet they face numerous structural obstacles in doing so, such as a lack of secure jobs, suitable housing, or welfare support, and being sidelined by services who may see them as inherently ‘risky’. Young fathers in particular (as with young mothers) are frequently presented as a ‘social problem’. Anna’s research challenges these unhelpful stereotypes, shining a light on the ways in which many young men and working-class fathers (as well as grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and other family members) are engaging in love and caregiving, with transformative impacts on them, their children, and their partners. She discusses what changes need to happen for policies and services to become more ‘father-inclusive’ without undermining vital support for mothers, and why this is good for gender equality and for society as a whole. Anna Tarrant is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lincoln (UK), a UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) Future Leaders Fellow, and Director of the Centre for Innovation in Fatherhood and Family Research. She is currently the Director of the UKRI-funded Future Leaders Fellowship study, 'Following Young Fathers Further'. She has written three books: The Dynamics of Young Fatherhood (with Bren Neale, Policy Press, 2024)Men, Families and Poverty (with Kahryn Hughes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2023)Fathering and Poverty: Uncovering Men's Family Participation in Low Income Families (Policy Press, 2021)Follow Anna on LinkedInAnna is also the Director of the Father-Inclusion HubShe is also co-editor, with Linzi Ladlow and Laura Way, of the book ‘Men and Welfare’ (Routledge, 2022), in which Sandy and Stephen have a chapter on ‘Men, work, and care in the UK in the wake of COVID-19’.Episode timelineIntroNotions of a ‘crisis of masculinity’ due to fatherlessness (02:59-08:17)Obstacles low-income fathers face (08:17-11:12)Lack of housing (11:12-13:21)Why young fathers are constructed as a ‘social problem’ (13:21-17:27)Barriers to services engaging with fathers (17:27-22:12)Break How gender norms influence societal perceptions of fathers (22:22-25:10)Working with fathers who have been abusive (25:10-28:50)What a father-inclusive approach looks like (28:50-34:19)Policy change to support active fatherhood (34:19-41:38)Anna’s early research on grandfathers (41:38-48:28)The personal dynamics of research (48:28-51:22)Conclusion (51:22-59:22)More infoProf Laura King’s research on the social history of fatherhood in the UKFor Baby’s SakeCaring DadsYoung Dads’ CollectiveNorth East Young Dads and LadsDigiDadInternational Network on Leave Policies & Research‘The Vegetarian’ by Han KangMusic: 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury.

How have young feminists challenged the patriarchal culture of South Korea in recent times? How are young men reacting to the upsurge in support for feminist ideas and activism? What is the background to the dramatic conflict around gender and masculinity in the country the last few years, and how might it be resolved?Please note: This episode includes discussion about sexual violence.On 3rd December 2024, a huge political upheaval took place which drew global attention when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. But this only lasted six hours as opposition lawmakers managed to get past the police and military, gain entry to the Assembly, and pass a resolution to lift it. Young women in the so-called “cheering light brigade” and the “kisses squad” played a key part in the pro-democracy movement that grew to impeach the President, staying out in public squares in freezing temperatures to demonstrate. These events followed a long-standing backlash against gender equality in South Korea, and the gains for women’s rights made since the 1980s. Three years of Yoon’s Presidency led to a dramatic roll-back on hard-won gender equality policies. He pledged to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, withdrew plans for a non-consensual sex law, undermined safe abortion service, and removed funding for sexuality and human rights education.These regressive moves reflect the rise of Manosphere communities over the past decade, fuelling men’s grievances against feminism and legitimising men’s violence against women in South Korea. Whilst the country leads the world in internet connectivity and hi-tech innovation, anti-feminist online spaces have become breeding grounds for various forms of digital crime, such as spy cameras in public toilets and deepfake pornography. So how have feminists been responding to this, how can solidarity be built among men and women amidst these divisions, and what lessons does this provide for gender equality advocates around the world?Our guest is Myoung Ryoon Kim (better known as Goldie). She’s an educator in the prevention of gender-based violence and an activist for gender equality. A graduate of Kyung-Hee University, Goldie has held numerous positions in South Korean NGOs working on gender issues over the past 30 years. In 2025, she became the Director of GOMA (Gender Justice Organisation for More Action) Korea, and is one of the founders and current co-coordinator of K-MEN (the newly-formed Korean MenEngage Network). She talks honestly about her personal experience of gender violence, how she became involved in this struggle, and how she maintains her motivation to continue through such difficult times.Episode timelineIntroThe social position of women in South Korea today (02:49-06:14)Femicide and the Gangnam Station Exit 10 Murder Case (06:14-09:58)‘Soranet’ and men’s violence against women online (09:58-15:29)The rise of the Manosphere and tech-facilitated abuse in South Korea (15:29-20:47)The ‘Feminist Reboot’ that has emerged in response (20:47-25:26)BreakReversals in gender equality under President Suk Yeol Yoon (25:35-28:25)Yoon’s masculinist attempt to impose martial law (28:25-31:04)The pro-democracy movement led by young women (31:04-35:33)Support for right-wing politicians among some young men (35:33-38:19)The relationship with North Korea, militarism and conscription of young men (38:19-43:25)Engaging men in gender equality in South Korea (43:25-47:00)What led Goldie to this work and what keeps her going (47:00-51:50)Conclusion (52:46-59:52)More info'A year after South Korea’s martial law crisis, the president urges unity, but the wounds are still raw''‘Men don’t know why they became unhappy’: the toxic gender war dividing South Korea'Mare of EasttownImagine ToolkitJens Van Tricht – ‘Men Need Feminism’‘Kim Ji-young, Born 1982’ by Cho Nam-Joo‘The Vegetarian’ by Han KangMusic, 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury.

Is masculinity ‘under attack’, and are boys increasingly ‘lost’? How valid are concerns about boys’ and young men’s achievement in education? What is the impact on them – and girls and young women – of the rise of the Manosphere and right-wing populism? In this episode, Prof Steven Roberts argues that the picture is much more complicated than is often presented, with, for instance, mixed effects on different racial and class groups. He challenges the pervasive narrative that tells young men gender equality threatens their positions and that traditional gender norms must be reasserted, arguing that this backward-looking approach feeds a sense of ‘manufactured outrage’ and ‘instructed victimhood’ among men and boys. Instead, he stresses the need for an alternative discourse which embraces gender equality, builds on the under-recognised positive changes taking place in (working-class) masculinity, and provides a more hopeful vision. He suggests, for instance, that many young working-class men find ways to adapt to the shifting labour market, working in sectors which are not seen as traditionally masculine such as retail and care, and forging more complex masculine identities as a result. Drawing on his research with Dr Stephanie Wescott in schools, Steven highlights the impact of sexist and misogynistic behaviour among young men influenced by the Manosphere and the complicity and responsibility of schools, and what they should do to promote gender-based violence prevention and early intervention work and develop wider school culture, norms, and leadership. Steven also talks movingly about the sustained violence and controlling behaviour he experienced from men when growing up, the impact on his work and life, and his remarkable transition to being an academic. He draws attention to the wider implications, including, for example, how the significance and prevalence of men’s violence is often downplayed, and the importance of breaking men’s silence on this issue.  Steven is a Professor of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He has published numerous journal articles, (co-)authored three books, and edited six more about changes and continuities in boys and men's masculinity practices, and inequalities in young people’s transitions to adulthood. Steven makes regular contributions to the media and other forms of public discussion. He writes frequently, for example, for the ABC, the Conversation and Women’s Agenda, and has appeared in a raft of media outlets in print, TV and radio nationally and internationally.Steven’s profileLinkedInEpisode timelineIntroThe play Inter Alia (00:41-03:35)What drew Steven to working on masculinity (03:35-05:59)What made Steven share his experiences of men’s violence (05:59-08:43)Encouraging other men to share their stories (08:43-10:37)Sexism and misogyny in schools today (10:37-15:52)Where boys are learning this behaviour from (15:52-20:17)Manufactured outrage around young men being ‘under attack’ (20:17-23:34)The masculinist politics of ‘protecting the nation’ (23:34-28:06)The relationship between class, race, and the rise of the far-right (28:06-32:54)Changing the discourse around boys and young men (32:54-36:36)BreakThe limitations of narratives about boys’ performance at school (36:46-41:22)Wellbeing struggles among both girls and boys (41:22-43:51)The impact of domestic abuse at home on school (43:51-49:49)How personal transitions shape research interests (49:49-54:24)Working-class communities driving change and providing seeds of hope (54:24-01:00:18)Conclusion (01:00:58-01:09:24)Futher readingSteven’s review of ‘Inter Alia’‘A very personal call to action for non-violent men to denounce men’s violence’‘How the discourse on boys’ alienation is fuelled by anti-feminist agendas’‘Research exposes alarming impact of 'manfluencer' culture on Australian schools’‘The ‘March for Australia’ and the masculine politics of protection’‘‘No one knew what was happening’: New research shows how domestic violence harms young people’s schooling’‘Young Working-Class Men in Transition’ (Routledge, 2018)Raymond Williamsbell hooksAmanda Keddie and Michael Flood’s research on young men online'No room for battle of the sexes: Why boys AND girls matter' (Education Policy Institute)

What role does love have to play in transforming men and masculinities? Why is it that so many men and boys struggle to give and receive love, yet feel great hunger for it? How should we understand the complex relationship between masculinity, love, and violence – why do men enact violence towards the people we claim to love? Why do dominant notions of masculinity often conflict with love and vulnerability? We discuss these issues with Kopano Ratele, Professor of Psychology at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, drawing on his recent book ‘Why Men Hurt Women and Other Reflections on Love, Violence and Masculinity’, published in 2022 by Wits University Press. Kopano puts forward honest personal reflections about his own experiences with love as a partner, father, psychologist and researcher in the field of men and masculinities.The second part of the episode explores Kopano’s vital work on critical and cultural African psychology, and the need to apply a decolonial lens to men and masculinities work. Decolonisation involves not only the process of undoing colonial rule, but also deeper shifts away from Western systems and structures of knowledge and power – including in our own psyches. Applying this approach to gender relations, Kopano highlights how a vibrant, Global South range of scholarship on men and masculinities now exists, which asks questions of dominant Western-centric frameworks. For example, he draws attention to the complex position of men of colour in Africa, who may simultaneously have some degree of male privilege, whilst also having been marginalised by colonisation. Our discussion concludes with his thoughts on the ‘softer’ masculinity displayed by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, and what impact his condemnation of violence against women and related policy initiatives are having on the very high levels of violence in the country. Kopano has published an extensive body of work focusing on the core themes of this episode. Alongside authoring multiple books, chapters, and journal articles, he has served as a member of the Ministerial Committee on Transformation in South African Universities, convener of the National Research Foundation’s Specialist Committee for Psychology Rating Panel, president of the Psychological Society of South Africa, and chairperson of Sonke Gender Justice.Episode timelineIntroWhy Kopano is interested in questions of love (02:30-04:39)Why so many men struggle to give and receive love (04:39-08:54)The relationship between (an absence of) love and men’s violence (08:54-13:37)Kopano’s own personal struggles with love (13:37-17:42)Opening oneself up to vulnerability (17:42-20:27)Helping men to embrace a loving masculinity (20:27-26:03)How Kopano became involved in profeminism (26:03-31:42)BreakWhy men and masculinity studies needs to be decolonised (31:53-41:56)The complexities of masculinity, race and power in Africa (41:56-48:17)Cyril Ramaphosa’s Oval Office exchange with Donald Trump (48:17-49:59)Ramaphosa’s vocal condemnation of violence against women (49:59-54:06)Pushing for deeper social change in South Africa post-Apartheid (54:06-56:01)Conclusion (56:32-01:04:45)Music, 'Now is time', courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury.

How do women and men suffer in different ways in wartime? How are distorted ideas about masculinity and femininity manipulated to promote and justify wars and recruit men to fight? What can be done to counter a return to patriarchal societies post-conflict? How are feminists responding to increasing militarisation in these dark times? Over many years, Cynthia Enloe has drawn on women’s first-hand experiences of war to show how patriarchy and militarism have become embedded in institutions and personal lives. Her analysis highlights how wartime shapes the gendered politics of issues such as marriage, family, work, childcare, food, income, prostitution, domestic violence and rape. She criticises the notion of a hierarchy of wartime suffering between women and men and draws attention to how men are coerced into being soldiers, framed as protectors of women, conscripted into militaries, and suffer death, injury and trauma in large numbers from direct wartime violence. She also shows how women’s emotional and physical labour is exploited by governments to support war-waging policies, and how different groups of women and men have tried to resist these efforts. In this episode, Cynthia reflects on these issues in particular in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the underlying patriarchal ideas and processes that perpetuate the conflict. Echoing a perceptive and long-standing theme in her work, she brings a feminist curiosity to what she sees, and encourages observers to remain attentive to the full range of questions that should be asked, rather than narrowing focus and leaping to easy assumptions.  Cynthia Enloe is an activist, researcher and teacher, and still engaged - in her words - in the lifetime process of ‘becoming a feminist’. She is Research Professor at Clark University in Massachusetts and internationally renowned for her work on the interactions of feminism, women, militarised culture, war, politics, and globalised economics in countries such as Japan, Iraq, the US, Britain, the Philippines, Canada, Chile, and Turkey. She’s written 15 ground-breaking books, including her latest Twelve Feminist Lessons of War, 2023 (Footnote Press/University of California Press), for which she reads the audiobook. Among many accolades, in 2018 she was selected to be named on the Gender Justice Legacy Wall at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.Cynthia’s profile‘Twelve Feminist Lessons of War’ (UK, US, Australia)Episode timelineIntroLearning from Ukrainian feminists (01:38-10:18)The multiple roles women are expected to play during war (10:18-15:52)How even insurgent movements can foster post-war patriarchy (15:52-16:57)The insidiousness of ‘returning to normal’ (16:57-17:32)The return of the Taliban and the MAGA movement (17:32-19:25)Why women’s wars are not men’s wars (19:25-28:43)How masculinity and femininity are used to justify war (28:43-36:53)BreakPutin’s strategies to recruit Russian men to fight (37:05-43:15)Nurturing feminist curiosity (43:15-48:45)The surge in militarisation across the world (48:45-56:21)Why we need to look beyond the big leaders (56:21-01:02:33)How Cynthia became the feminist she is today (01:02:33-01:05:45)What men can do to support struggles against militarism (01:05:45-01:06:33)Conclusion (01:06:42)More infoWomen’s Perspectives in LvivMarta ChumaloNimo's War, Emma's War: Making Feminist Sense of the Iraq War, by CynthiaPutin’s payments to Russian soldiers, New York TimesThe Big Push: Exposing and Challenging the Persistence of Patriarchy, by CynthiaSeriously! Investigating Crashes and Crises as If Women Mattered, by CynthiaMusic 'Now is time' courtesy of Chaps' Choir and Dom Stichbury.

How are artificial intelligence and other technologies exacerbating misogyny and undermining women’s rights and safety? What are the emerging forms of violence against women and girls being facilitated by AI, such as deepfakes and nudify apps? What is driving so many men to view and create such material, and how is it shaping their sexual attitudes and behaviours? What actions are needed to address these harms, and by whom? For many years, Prof Clare McGlynn has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle the devastating impacts of online violence against women and to establish stronger forms of regulation. Central to her work on sexual violence are the perspectives of victims and survivors, particularly their understandings of what justice means to them. In this episode, we explore her approach to these issues and some of the challenges involved, including the masculinist dynamics of the highly profitable tech and porn companies, and obstacles in attempting to regulate the transformation of these industries in recent years.  Clare also talks about recent aspects of her influential advocacy work.  For example, she provided legal expertise to the successful campaign to persuade the UK Government to adopt a law criminalising the creation and solicitation of sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’. We explore too her work to reduce the easy and growing availability, and adverse impacts, of extreme and abusive pornography (including ‘strangulation porn’ and ‘incest porn’). She outlines her involvement in the campaign to tackle the harms of strangulation in mainstream pornography. We conclude by discussing with Clare what led her to focus increasingly on online and tech-facilitated harms in her work, and how her sense of responsibility and justice sustains her in continuing to research such distressing issues. Clare is a Professor of Law at Durham University, with particular expertise in the legal regulation of pornography, sexual violence and online abuse, especially image-based sexual abuse (i.e. taking, creating, and sharing intimate images without consent). In 2020, she was appointed an Honorary KC (Kings Counsel) in recognition of her exceptional work within the legal profession.Clare’s website: https://www.claremcglynn.comDurham University profile: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/clare-mcglynn/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-mcglynn-32b898238/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claremcglynn_/Episode timelineIntroductionHow AI is deepening gender inequality (02:34-04:21)Emerging AI-driven forms of violence against women (04:21-06:08)The masculinist dynamics of the tech industry (06:08-08:52)Why attempts to regulate Big Tech have been so lacklustre (08:52-11:31)The new UK law Clare helped to introduce criminalising ‘deepfake’ images (11:31-16:44)Why the criminal law can be a useful tool for feminist campaigners (16:44-19:34)Why debates about ‘carceral feminism’ should not be reduced to either/or (19:34-24:23)Victim-survivors’ wide-ranging perceptions of justice (24:23-26:27)BreakWhat is driving so many men to engage in image-based sexual abuse (26:35-29:56)Why the online world is not simply a reflection of wider society (29:56-31:35)The role of pornography and how it’s shifted over time, e.g. ‘incest porn’ (31:35-36:55)The personal impacts of doing this research (36:55-38:25)Is porn simply giving people what they want? (38:25-40:46)How porn influences our attitudes, behaviours, and relationships (40:46-44:11)The mainstreaming of strangulation in sex (44:11-48:04)Talking to young people (48:04-52:05)What sustains Clare to keep doing this work (52:05-54:24)Conclusion (55:15-01:02:27)More infoNew ‘engaging men’ briefing paper co-authored by Stephen: https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/new-how-to-engage-men-in-ending-vawg/‘The New Age of Sexism’ by Laura Bates: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-New-Age-of-Sexism/Laura-Bates/9781471190483End Violence Against Women Coalition: https://evaw.org.uk#NotYourPorn: https://notyourporn.comSally Rees, NASUWT union: https://news.sky.com/story/upskirted-teacher-says-women-being-targeted-by-misogynistic-attitudes-in-classroom-13351789Clare’s research on ‘kaleidoscopic justice’:https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663918761200And restorative justice: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6478.2012.00579.x‘Breathless’ campaign: https://www.breathlesscampaign.com‘No One Wants to See Your D*ck’, by Jess Davies: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/30/i-dont-date-at-all-now-one-womans-journey-into-the-darkest-corners-of-the-manosphere‘The Crimes of Digital Capitalism’, by Aitor Jiménez: https://nyupress.org/9781479821693/the-crimes-of-digital-capitalism/

Society is obsessed with masculinity, and constantly discussing how it's 'in crisis'. But how helpful are these debates? Can masculinity be reshaped as 'positive' or 'healthy' - and should that be our focus? In a challenging new paper – 'Positive humanity, when? Is masculinity worth saving?' – Dr Finn Mackay argues that policy aimed at saving men and alleviating their suffering does not address men's humanity, but is erroneously focused on 'saving' masculinity. Instead, Finn believes we should aspire to be positive, healthy people and equal human beings, without needing to have our identities as men reinforced. Rather than recycling tired biological essentialism, Finn concludes "it is time for men and women to start acting like we really believe we are not separate spheres, but on the same planet, with the same needs for love and care, the same need to matter to our communities, the same need for life". Finn advocates for a radical feminist analysis, arguing that it offers positive solutions to the problems all of us face - including men and boys.The episode discusses Finn's 2021 book 'Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars: The Politics of Sex'. Based on research they conducted on lesbian and queer masculinities in the UK, they explore the challenges and obstacles facing those who do not fit into strict boxes of sex and gender. This is particularly topical given the recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refer only to "biological women" and "biological sex". Decrying the widespread scapegoating and demonising of trans people, Finn argues they have become easy targets for regressive gender conservatism. Finn ends by talking movingly about their personal journey from growing up in rural Scotland, to living at women's peace camps outside military bases, and the impact that feminism – especially radical feminism – has had on their life.Finn is a senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of the West of England, and they have a long history of feminist research and activism. Prior to academia, Finn was involved in education and youth work on issues including domestic violence prevention and anti-bullying. In 2004, they founded the London Feminist Network, and revived the tradition of London Reclaim the Night. Their previous book 'Radical Feminism: Feminist Activism in Movement' (2015) set out a pioneering feminist manifesto analysing the reasons for women’s oppression and what feminist activism must do to counter it.Finn's personal website: https://www.drfinnmackay.co.ukUWE profile: https://people.uwe.ac.uk/Person/FinnMackayBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/finnfox.bsky.socialLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-mackay-87a593345/‘Positive humanity, when?’ paper: https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2025.2502679‘Radical Feminism’ book: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137363589‘Female Masculinities’ book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/female-masculinities-and-the-gender-wars-9781350466623/Episode timelineIntro Current debates about masculinity (02:02-03:56)Is 'positive masculinity' the answer? (03:56-06:12)Why masculinity is crisis (06:12-08:59)Reinforcing gender dualisms through segregation (08:59-13:12)Boys starting school later (13:12-15:48)The allure of patriarchal norms in times of crisis (15:48-18:46)Why radical feminism offers hope to boys and men (18:46-22:45)What men can do to support radical feminism (22:45-25:40)BreakHow to define radical feminism and essentialism (25:56-33:21)Finn's research on lesbian and queer masculinities (33:21-37:09)Simultaneously identifying with and critiquing masculinity (37:09-41:57)The UK supreme court decision on 'biological women' (41:57-45:50)Trans panic and the gender equality backlash (45:50-49:49)Reconciling the divides over trans rights (49:49-55:55)Finn's personal feminist journey (55:55-01:02:20)Conclusion [Learning from radical feminism; How can men deal feminist divisions?; Patriarchy is the problem; Continuity and crisis; Men who supported the peace camps; Dismantling essentialism] (01:02:28-01:08:00)More infoJohn Stoltenberg: https://johnstoltenberg.medium.com/UK Dads' Strike: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/11/dad-strikes-in-london-and-edinburgh-demand-better-paternity-leaveSusan Brownmiller obituary: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jun/03/susan-brownmiller-obituaryUK Supreme Court ruling: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/16/critics-of-trans-rights-win-uk-supreme-court-case-over-definition-of-woman'What does the UK Supreme Court’s gender ruling mean for trans men?': https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-uk-supreme-courts-gender-ruling-mean-for-trans-men-254868Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenham_Common_Women%27s_Peace_Camp'The origins and history of Reclaim the Night': https://mancunion.com/2022/03/20/the-origins-and-history-of-reclaim-the-night/

Why do men still benefit from higher pay, status, and power at work? What is the ideological and cultural underpinning that sustains the gendered division of labour? What are the harmful effects of workplace inequality on poverty, health, family life and women’s status? These are some of the key issues that Professor Cordelia Fine addresses in her witty and insightful new book ‘Patriarchy Inc.: What We Get Wrong About Gender Equality and Why Men Still Win at Work’, which is listed as one of the non-fiction books to read this year by the UK Financial Times. In our discussion, Cordelia draws on a wealth of evidence to explain how ‘Patriarchy Inc.’ operates, and how progress in dismantling unequal gender arrangements is stymied by two false visions: the ‘Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI)’ approach, and the ‘Different but Equal’ perspective. Instead, she argues for a set of commonsense reforms which would benefit everyone. These include reorientating societies and workplaces around the assumption that most workers will have caring responsibilities; setting aside definitions of job ‘fit’ and success that exclude women and other marginalised groups; and addressing how the gender system is embedded in childhood. We also explore some of the themes from her earlier book, Testosterone Rex, which won the Royal Society Science Book Prize. The book challenges the powerful myth that men and women have evolved fundamentally different natures, and that testosterone is responsible for ‘hard-wiring’ male brains to, for example, take risks, compete, and be violent.  We conclude by discussing her motivations and influences as a writer, and the role of humour in her work. Cordelia is Professor in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne. She was awarded the prestigious 2018 Edinburgh Medal for her work challenging gender bias in science, and was recently named as a living legend by The Australian newspaper. Buy the book: https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/patriarchy-inc/ (UK) https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/9781838953355 (Aus)Cordelia’s website: https://www.cordelia-fine.comHer University of Melbourne profile: https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/126041-cordelia-fineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordelia-fine-240773250/Episode timelineIntroWhy Cordelia wanted to write ‘Patriarchy Inc.’ (03:49-08:01)Why she takes issue with the ‘Different but Equal’ perspective (08:01-15:30)Why the ‘DEI’ approach is also insufficient (15:30-27:06)What her ‘Patriarchy Inc.’ approach adds (27:06-33:42)How we can foster genuine equality in the workplace and society (33:42-42:41)Break‘Testosterone Rex’ and why men’s violence can’t be reduced to biology (42:52-50:55)Fatherhood and why Patriarchy Inc. doesn't work for any of us (50:55-52:12)The use of humour in writing (52:12-55:38)What led Cordelia into researching the science of sex and gender (55:38-01:00:13)Conclusion [The nuances of DEI, Progress being non-linear, The role of trade unions, Capitalism and fatherhood, Valuing care] (01:00:22-01:06:49)

Discussions about masculinity and violence against women have exploded into the spotlight, not least because of the widely-watched Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’. More and more men are asking: Why is ending this violence an issue for me? What can I do to be part of the solution? How can I overcome the barriers holding me back from taking action, such as feelings of defensiveness? These are some of the pressing questions leading anti-violence educator and scholar-activist Dr Jackson Katz addresses in his timely new book, 'Every Man: Why Violence Against Women is a Men’s Issue, and How You Can Make a Difference'.In this episode, Jackson sets out the case for men’s involvement, and essential tools to help us contribute to preventing violence against women: from how to respond when a friend or colleague expresses misogynistic views, to changing the culture among our peers, to developing positive leadership among men on this issue. We also discuss ‘Adolescence’ and its impact on, and implications for, parents, teachers, police officers and other key figures and institutions in young men’s (and women’s) lives. We conclude by revisiting the political situation in the US, and how men are responding to the backward-looking narratives coming from figures like President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance about what ‘real men’ should be like. Jackson is an American educator, speaker and writer internationally renowned for his groundbreaking work on issues of gender, race, and violence. His TEDx Talk 'Violence against women - it's a men's issue' has been watched 5.5 million+ times. He co-founded the pioneering gender violence prevention programme, Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), which was the first large-scale prevention initiative in sports culture and all branches of the US military, and has been rolled out in schools across the US and parts of the UK. Jackson’s book ‘Every Man’ is now available in the UK through Penguin, and will be published in the US by Bloomsbury in Sept 2025: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/every-man-9780241672662Find out more about Jackson’s work: https://www.jacksonkatz.comHis writing for Ms Magazine: https://msmagazine.com/author/jkatz/Follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-katz-ph-d-b7785b3/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksontkatzWatch his TEDx Talk, ‘Violence against women – It’s a men's issue’: https://youtu.be/KTvSfeCRxe8Episode timeline:IntroductionJackson’s views on ‘Adolescence’ and its impact (02:26-06:53)Showing the series in schools (06:53-10:11)Why Jackson wrote ‘Every Man’, and the difficulties of getting a book on this topic published (10:11-14:52)Why men might respond defensively, and how to move past that (14:52-20:52)The positive impacts of feminism on Jackson’s own life (20:52-27:29)BreakThe bystander approach and what it looks in practice (27:36-35:26)Its use in settings such as the military, and a different kind of leadership (35:26-43:52)Masculinity in the Trump 2.0 presidency, and signs of resistance (43:52-53:47)Why men need to face our fears of being ‘unmanned’ (53:47-56:54)Conclusion [The lessons of ‘Adolescence’; The responsibility we all have; Addressing it in schools] (57:02-01:06:30)More info:Gareth Southgate’s Dimblebly Lecture: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/19/gareth-southgate-rails-against-callous-toxic-influencers-in-dimbleby-lectureMichael Kaufman – The triad of men’s violence: https://michaelkaufman.com/articles-2/Terry Real – ‘I don’t want to talk about it’: https://terryreal.com/books/Sandy Ruxton – ‘Masculinity, intimacy, and mourning: A father’s memoir of his son killed in action in world War II’: https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy4020059Mentors in Violence Prevention: https://mvpstrat.comJackson Katz – ‘Bystander Training as Leadership Training’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801217753322Young Men’s Research Initiative: https://youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com

Tarang Chawla knows firsthand the devastating impacts of men’s violence, and the ripple effects it sends through families and communities – including on other boys and men. This is what led him to set up Not One More Niki, in memory of his younger sister Nikita who was murdered by her partner in 2015. Tarang is one of Australia’s most well-known and outspoken male advocates against gender-based violence. He talks to us about where he thinks Australian society needs to go from here in its efforts to end men’s violence against women, after a year in which a series of terrible murders brought this onto the agenda in a way not seen before. We also discuss the position of gender equality and masculinity in the upcoming Australian federal election, including on issues such as ‘law and order’; coming to terms with racism and colonialism in Australia and the UK; and why understanding boys’ and men’s experiences of race and class can help us to reach out to them more meaningfully. Tarang is an award-winning speaker, writer, advocate, and recovering lawyer. Among other things, he is a Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and a sessional academic at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. He also wrote, produced and hosted the first two series of the acclaimed podcast There's No Place Like Home.Tarang’s website: https://tarangchawla.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarangchawlaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarangchawla/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarangchawlaonlineNot One More Niki: https://www.instagram.com/notonemorenikiThere’s No Place Like Home: https://www.futurewomen.com/theresnoplacelikehome/Episode timelineIntro and acknowledgement of countryTarang’s journey into working to end men’s violence against women (03:17-06:28)Media portrayals of men who use violence (06:28-10:49)Talking about the ripple effects of men’s violence (10:49-14:04)The obstacles of masculine expectations (14:04-16:15)Men’s experiences of child sexual abuse (16:15-21:30)Being a spokesperson on these issues as a man (21:30-27:42)BreakThe impact of recent high-profile murders of Australian women (27:53-32:17)Debates about prevention work in Australia (32:17-36:35)Masculinity in the upcoming Australian election (36:35-39:09)Discourses about being ‘tough on crime’ (39:09-43:00)The pushback against equity and diversity initiatives (43:00-46:06)Racism in Australia (46:06-49:12)Understanding men and boys’ own experiences of marginalisation (49:12-54:43)Conclusion [Addressing sexism and racism simultaneously; Punitive responses to crime; Coming to the terms with British colonialism] (56:06-01:02:09)More info“Earlier this month, it was announced that former AFL player Ben Cousins will join the Seven Network’s commentary team” https://www.smh.com.au/national/ben-cousins-new-tv-job-is-offensive-to-women-20250314-p5ljni.html“Locking up young people might make you feel safer but it doesn’t work, now or in the long term” https://theconversation.com/locking-up-young-people-might-make-you-feel-safer-but-it-doesnt-work-now-or-in-the-long-term-237742  “Who is the new leader of the Liberal party Peter Dutton?” https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/who-is-the-new-leader-of-the-liberal-party-peter-dutton/vwj0p6nyy“Voice referendum normalised racism towards Indigenous Australians, report finds” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/06/voice-referendum-normalised-racism-towards-indigenous-australians-report-findsThank you to Dom Stichbury and Chaps Choir for providing our new music with their song 'Now is time' https://www.facebook.com/ChapsChoir/

The backlash against gender equality, or what its advocates describe with terms such as 'gender ideology' and 'wokeism', is reaching an ever-rising crescendo in Europe and countries across the globe. It poses a major threat to the hard-won achievements of the feminist movement. But what are the forces pushing the 'anti-gender movement' – and how should we respond to it? How is it manifesting itself differently in different countries, and how are politicians exploiting it? How is it seeking to antagonise men's insecurities, whilst offering few solutions to the problems they face? And what can organisations working with boys and men, and each of us as individuals, do in this critical moment? Expert Aleks Dimitrijevic provides us with vital insights. Aleks is the co-founder and president of Men Against Violence in Malta, and a member of the Steering Committee of MenEngage Europe. He talks to us about how Malta was until recently the only country in the EU to completely outlaw abortion, how activists are continuing to struggle to lift the draconian restrictions against it, and the personal challenges he and his family have faced for campaigning in this area.Men Against Violence: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068193336893Men 4 Dem project: https://www.men4dem.eu/MenEngage Europe: https://menengage.org/region/europe/Thank you to Dom Stichbury and Chaps Choir for our new podcast music, with their song 'Now is time' https://www.facebook.com/ChapsChoir/Episode timelineIntroductionGender (in)equality in Malta (02:12-05:17)The struggle to lift Malta’s abortion ban (05:17-08:01)Religious obstacles (08:01-10:39)Personal challenges Aleks and his family have faced (10:39-15:04)What is backlash? (15:04-17:05)Key issues for the 'anti-gender' movement (17:05-20:17)Resistance to preventing violence against women (20:17-26:13)The weaponisation of men’s issues (26:13-29:08)The 'men’s rights' movement (29:08-38:15)BreakRight-wing populism and the mainstreaming of the 'anti-gender' movement (38:18-44:53)What people working with boys and men can do about it (44:53-48:27)Who is funding the backlash (48:27-51:36)Communicating in a language men and boys understand (51:36-55:47)Conclusion [Connections with climate denial; Struggles on the left; Parallels with the 1930s; Majority opinion; Building the next generation of activists] (55:47-01:02:24)More info‘‘Women are treated like walking incubators’: Malta’s fight for abortion’ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/19/the-fight-for-abortion-in-malta‘Malta to allow abortion but only when woman’s life is at risk’ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/28/malta-to-allow-abortion-but-only-when-womans-life-is-at-riskILGA – “For the seventh year in a row, Malta continues to occupy the number one spot on the Rainbow Europe Map, with a score of 92%” https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/rainbow-europe-2022/Women’s Rights Foundation https://www.wrf.org.mtSusan Faludi, ‘Backlash’ https://susanfaludi.com/backlash.htmlSusan Faludi, ‘Stiffed’ https://susanfaludi.com/stiffed.htmlAgnieszka Graff and Elżbieta Korolczuk, ‘Anti-Gender Politics in the Populist Moment’ https://www.routledge.com/Anti-Gender-Politics-in-the-Populist-Moment/Graff-Korolczuk/p/book/9780367679507European Parliamentary Forum https://www.epfweb.org

Masculinity is playing a significant yet under-discussed role in harms against animals and the environment. From hunting, to meat-eating, to driving fast cars, to burning fossil fuels, ‘man’s’ domination of nature is closely connected to gender inequality and masculine norms. In this 50th episode special, we discuss with Dr Cassie Pedersen why we urgently need to break down stereotypes suggesting that it is ‘feminine’ to care for nature, and help boys and men to embrace our interdependence with the world around us. We ask: Do environmental and animal activism challenge gender norms? What can each of us do in our own everyday lives? And how is ecofeminism relevant to men and boys? This is based on a new paper by Cassie and Stephen in the Journal of Criminology, ‘From men's violence to an ethic of care: Ecofeminist contributions to green criminology’.Then, in part two, with Cassie’s help, we review the first 50 episodes of Now and Men. What have been our highlights so far? What directions should the podcast take in the future? And how do we face up to the increasingly authoritarian and destructive times we are living in? Join us in reflecting on the personal and political issues the podcast has explored over the last 3+ years, and what it has taught us about masculinity and allyship today.Dr Cassie Pedersen is a Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Federation University (Australia). Her background is in philosophy, with her PhD being on the theory of trauma, and her current work focuses predominantly on green criminology and harms against non-human animals.Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.1177/26338076241293145A recent piece by Stephen and Cassie, ‘It’s time to recognise the role masculinity is playing in the climate crisis’: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/its-time-to-recognise-the-role-masculinity-is-playing-in-the-climate-crisisCassie’s profile: https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/ieac/staff-profiles/staf-profiles/cassie-pedersenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassie-pedersen-a30406153/Episode timelineIntroductionMen’s violence and environmental destruction (01:46-05:01)Green criminology and ecofeminism explained (05:01-07:28)The relationship between masculinity and violence against animals (07:28-10:47)Why an ethic of care offers an alternative (10:47-14:16)The impact of ecofeminism on Cassie and Stephen (14:16-19:51)Broadening what we mean by activism (19:51-25:19)The gendered dynamics of environmentalism (25:19-31:52)BreakStandout episodes of Now and Men (31:57-36:56)The most significant issues we have and should cover (36:56-44:28)Bizarre and unusual podcast experiences (44:28-48:40)Gender, podcasting, and allyship (48:40-52:26)Episodes we’ve particularly enjoyed (52:26-54:07)What we’ve learned (54:07-56:51)Inspiring figures of 2024, and messages to take away (56:51-01:02:59)EndMore infoPetra Kelly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra_KellyCarol Adams: https://caroljadams.comLiz Kelly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Kelly‘Hottest year on record sent planet past 1.5C of heating for first time in 2024’: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/10/world-temperature-in-2024-exceeded-15c-for-first-time‘World’s richest use up their fair share of 2025 carbon budget in 10 days’: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/10/worlds-richest-use-up-their-fair-share-of-2025-carbon-budget-in-10-daysRupert Read: https://rupertread.netClimate Majority Project: https://climatemajorityproject.comRaewyn Connell, ‘A whole new world: Remaking masculinity in the context of the environmental movement’: https://doi.org/10.1177/089124390004004003Jimmy Carter Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/wfW3aZCFfLA?feature=sharedJackson Katz, ‘Jimmy Carter was one of the world’s leading anti-sexist men’: https://jacksonkatz.substack.com/p/jimmy-carter-was-one-of-the-worlds‘Nine apologises for using digitally altered image of Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell’: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-30/victorian-mp-georgie-purcell-altered-image/103403664

Why have male voice community choirs become more popular in the UK and beyond in recent years? How are they playing with norms of masculinity? Why is it that choirs often struggle to recruit men? What impact can they have on men’s lives and wellbeing? How are they helping men to connect and find community? And can they help us to build gender equality? In our Christmas Special for 2024, we explore these issues and more with Dom Stichbury.Dom is a choir director, singer, songwriter, arranger, and group singing advocate. He’s the founder and artistic director of London-based groups Chaps Choir and Bellow Fellows, one half of vocal duo Ben and Dom (who do shows and run workshops around the UK), and a member of Oaken (a quartet of singers and choir leaders). He also performs with the Australian-based Spooky Men's Chorale.The episode features recordings of three Chaps Choir’s performances:‘Alilo’: https://soundcloud.com/chapschoir/sets/chaps-choir-live-union-chapel‘Now is time’: https://open.spotify.com/track/3eVsnZrmVwM0asAJOxwCub‘Drop of shanty’: https://open.spotify.com/track/0GB0HIzocneuONyhxehdIw?si=c0fb1d6bc2bd4344Find out more about Dom’s work:http://www.dominicstichbury.comhttp://www.chapschoir.comhttps://www.bellowfellows.comhttps://www.benanddom.comhttps://www.oakenharmony.comhttps://spookymen.comEpisode timeline:‘Alilo’ + Intro (00:00-02:27)The story of Chaps Choir and Bellow Fellows (02:27-04:32)The wider phenomena of male voice community choirs (04:32-06:01)International examples and subverting masculinity (06:01-07:24)Recruiting men (07:24-09:52)How the groups have shifted (09:52-11:54)The benefits of being part of a choir (11:54-16:25)Becoming more attuned with our bodies (16:25-18:00)Differences between mixed and men’s groups (18:00-20:04)Making groups inclusive (20:04-22:53)Encouraging people to sing together in settings like prisons (22:53-25:13)Why men are less likely to join choirs (25:13-29:00)Football chanting (29:00-31:14)Expressing emotion and vulnerability (31:14-35:52)‘Now is time’ (32:34-36:52)The potential for choirs to promote change (36:52-39:42)Which groups of men (don’t) take part (39:42-44:25)Bringing a diverse group together (44:25-46:15)Forging friendships and community (46:15-48:15)Singing during Covid-19 (48:15-50:39)How Dom started singing (50:39-53:40)‘Drop of shanty’ (53:17-55:05)Conclusion (54:32-01:01:25)More info:The Best Sing Since Sliced Bread: https://www.bestsingsince.co.ukHuutajat: https://www.huutajat.org/en/Research by Emily Falconer - ‘In harmony or out of tune: Affective and emotional geographies of all-male choirs in London, UK’: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emospa.2022.100925Singing in the Shed: https://www.singingintheshed.co.ukPhilip Read: https://www.philipread.net/Blokefest: https://www.blokefest.netManchoir: http://manchoir.co.uk‘True colours’, Manchoir: https://youtu.be/8tioUZghMQY‘Will you still love me tomorrow’, Bellow Fellows: https://youtu.be/qgRuVkmwXrIFind a choir: https://www.naturalvoice.net'Glorious Rabble', Extinction Rebellion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Qmiyn68Es

What do we know about men’s friendships, and why have their social networks declined in the past 30 years? Why do so many find it hard to cultivate emotionally supportive friendships with each other? Why is it that men are more at risk of loneliness and social isolation than women? What are the impacts of this, both for men themselves and the women they are close to? And what can we do about it?In this episode, Dr Angelica Ferrara discusses these issues and more, drawing upon her recent article (with Dylan Vergara) ‘Theorizing mankeeping: The male friendship recession and women’s associated labour as a structural component of gender inequality’. The authors argue that fewer close relationships between men may cause some to rely heavily on relationships with women, especially romantic relationships, for emotional support. This may increase the emotion work women do to support men, through a phenomenon Angelica and Dylan label as ‘mankeeping’ - which can in turn contribute to gender inequity.Angelica is a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University’s Clayman Institute for Gender Research, and a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics. She is trained as a developmental and social psychologist, and her work seeks to understand how gender ideologies shape behaviour and relationships. She’s currently working on a book called ‘Men Without Men’, about boys’ and men’s friendships throughout history and across cultures.Angelica’s profile: https://gender.stanford.edu/people/angelica-puzio-ferraraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelica-puzio-ferrara-phd-3231b6211/Twitter: https://x.com/angeliferraraRead the paper: https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000494On the media coverage it has received: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/angelica-puzio-ferrara-phd-3231b6211_mankeeping-slides-activity-7265003061960445952-U6l7/Episode timelineIntroductionThe male friendship recession (02:32-04:39)Differences among men (04:39-07:36)Why friendships are so important (07:36-10:33)The impact of masculine norms on men’s friendships (10:33-14:03)Changes with ageing and retirement (14:03-19:18)Why men’s social settings sometimes don’t help (19:18-21:18)How mankeeping works (21:18-25:16)Its impacts on women (25:16-27:30)Why boys have just as much capacity for relationships (27:30-32:08)BreakHow society needs to change (32:12-37:06)Creating spaces for men to connect (37:06-39:56)Men on their own (39:56-41:29)What individual men can do (41:29-46:03)Why we need to support others (46:03-48:29)The significance of touch (48:29-50:38)What led Angelica to this research (50:38-54:25)Conclusion [Personal struggles with conforming to masculine norms and building close friendships with men; The need to reach out; Fears of rejection; Totalitarianism and a sense of abandonment; Far-right exploitation of men's isolation] (54:25-01:03:57)More infoHarvard Study of Adult Development: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.orgCarolyn J. Rosenthal, ‘Kinkeeping in the familial division of labor’: https://doi.org/10.2307/352340Niobe Way, ‘Deep Secrets’: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674072428Judy Chu, ‘When Boys Become Boys’: https://nyupress.org/9780814764800/when-boys-become-boys/Niobe Way et al, ‘“It might be nice to be a girl... Then you wouldn't have to be emotionless”: Boys' resistance to norms of masculinity during adolescence’: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037262Hannah Arendt, ‘The Origins of Totalitarianism’: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-origins-of-totalitarianism-9780241316757

With the US presidential election fast approaching, and the unexpected entry of Kamala Harris into the race, gender issues are central to the debate. Polls suggest women are more likely to vote Democrat, and men – including young men – more likely to vote Republican. A particular focus of both campaigns is on seeking to win men over, drawing upon different cultural narratives of masculinity. How is the Trump/Vance campaign drawing on masculinist and misogynistic discourses to appeal to those men who feel marginalised and resentful of women’s gains? How are the Harris/Walz campaign seeking to promote a ‘new masculinity’, where men can be both steady and strong, tender and vulnerable? In this episode, we explore with Rob Okun how this contemporary contest reflects shifting notions of masculinity over the past 50 years in the US. In particular, we discuss reproductive rights after the Roe vs Wade protection of the right to abortion was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022, and the ways in which increasing numbers of men are acting in support of women’s right to choose. We also talk with Rob about his longstanding involvement in the US profeminist men’s movement, and how becoming a father was a key factor in his own journey to activism and engagement. Rob is perhaps best known for being the editor and publisher from 1996 to 2023 of Voice Male magazine, covering topics including men’s violence, fatherhood, men’s health, and LGBTQIA+ issues, both in the US and internationally. He is also the editor of an excellent book, ‘Voice Male: The Untold Story of the Profeminist Men’s Movement’. He is a former executive director of the Men’s Resource Center for Change, which was one of the earliest men’s centers in North America. He continues to speak at colleges and universities around the US, and writes for newspapers and websites such as Ms. Magazine.Rob’s personal website: https://robokun.netVoice Male magazine: https://voicemalemagazine.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/voicemalemagazineRob’s writing for Ms. Magazine: https://msmagazine.com/author/robokun/The 'Voice Male' book: https://shop.nextgenmen.ca/products/voice-male-the-untold-story-of-the-pro-feminist-mens-movement-by-rob-a-okunEpisode timelineIntroThe impact of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina (02:22-07:11)The potential significance of having a woman of colour as president (07:11-13:08)The ‘gender split’ in voting patterns (13:08-17:11)How Trump and Vance have been exploiting some men’s grievances (17:11-24:44)A ‘new masculinity’ among the Democrats? (24:44-29:58)BreakRob’s journey In the US profeminist men’s movement (30:05-40:29)How Voice Male developed over time (40:29-45:38)How Rob sees his role in the movement now (45:38-51:18)What he thinks Americans should do ahead of the election (51:18-54:17)Conclusion [Comparing with Jackson Katz interview; The Man Card film; ‘Tampon Tim’; Democrat leaders still needing to emphasise their toughness; Trump targeting young men; the US being a centre-left country; The impact of fatherhood; Overlaps in activism] (54:22-01:00:37)ExplainersPatti Smith - ‘People have the power’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Wz3i_BYUcMen4Choice https://www.men4choice.orgWhite Dudes for Harris https://whitedudesforharris.comAndrew Yarrow, ‘Man Out’ https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780815732754/Man-Out-Men-on-the-Sidelines-of-American-LifePeter Thiel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_ThielThe Electoral College https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_CollegeMenEngage Alliance https://menengage.orgSteven Botkin https://www.mergeforequality.org/trainers/Next Gen Men https://www.nextgenmen.caGloria Steinem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_SteinemKamala Harris v Brett Cavanagh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6g-zycRv8QThe Man Card documentary https://www.themancardmovie.com‘Men’s Activism to End Violence Against Women’ https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/mens-activism-to-end-violence-against-women

Despite the growth of discourses around ‘involved fatherhood’ and ‘work-family balance’, parenting remains highly challenging and inequitable, with expectations of parents intensifying and much of the load continuing to fall on mothers. This is despite men demonstrating in a variety of settings their capacity to engage in caregiving just as effectively as women. So what can we can do to make it easier for men to take up care work in its different forms, and to support parents with raising children and building gender equity in the home? Prof Tina Miller discusses over two decades of research she has conducted on family life with parents, including a recent study on the experiences of Syrian refugee fathers in the UK and Sweden. This provides a very different picture of the struggles faced by refugees from the negative portrayals that habitually dominate media narratives.  Also, Now and Men now has a Facebook page! Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/nowandmenTina is a Professor of Sociology at Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has been an expert advisor to the World Health Organisation, thinktanks and political parties in the UK and EU. Profile: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/tina-millerTwitter: https://x.com/proftinamillerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-miller-8784a322/She has published several books on parenthood with Cambridge University Press.Motherhood: Contemporary Transitions and Generational Change (2023): https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/sociology/sociology-gender/motherhood-contemporary-transitions-and-generational-changeMaking Sense of Parenthood: Caring, Gender and Family Lives (2017): https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/sociology/sociology-gender/making-sense-parenthood-caring-gender-and-family-livesMaking Sense of Fatherhood: Gender, Caring and Work (2010): https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/sociology/sociology-general-interest/making-sense-fatherhood-gender-caring-and-workMaking Sense of Motherhood: A Narrative Approach (2005): https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/sociology/sociology-general-interest/making-sense-motherhood-narrative-approachTina has also authored/presented a series of BBC Radio 4 Analysis programmes.What's changing about childbirth: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001n2h0Why do we assume women care?: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001f53pModern parenting: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k2tvEpisode timelineIntroductionSyrian refugee dads: Representation v reality (02:15-06:33)How services treat refugee mothers and fathers (06:33-09:53)Differences in refugee experiences in Sweden/the UK (09:53-12:42)Syrian dads’ relationships with Western notions of ‘involved’ fatherhood (12:42-15:21)Tina’s experience of interviewing refugee families (15:21-21:16)First-time fathers in the UK (21:16-30:24)Transitions in parenting (30:24-34:19)BreakThe intensification of parenthood (34:25-38:09)Illusions of work-family balance (38:09-42:40)How we can get men more involved (42:40-45:26)Older men’s caregiving (45:26-48:22)Recruiting more men to the social care sector (48:22-53:10)The beginnings of Tina’s career in the Solomon Islands and Bangladesh (53:10-56:32)Conclusion - Class inequities and parenting; Different family types; Ken Loach’s ‘The Old Oak’; Climate change and refugees; The riots and refugee ambivalence about sharing their stories; Shifting the discourse on migration (56:32-01:03:53)ExplainersEdgar’s Mission: https://edgarsmission.org.au‘Men and Welfare’ book: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003178811Damascus Rose Kitchen, Oxford: https://www.damascusrosekitchen.org‘The Old Oak’ film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Oak

For one turbulent week at the end of July this year, serious rioting broke out across around 20 towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland. Rioters attacked homes and businesses owned by immigrants, and set fire to accommodation housing asylum-seekers. The riots began near Liverpool after the horrific murder of three young girls in a neighbouring town, about which far-right supporters spread false claims online that the perpetrator was a Muslim migrant or asylum-seeker.Whilst some women were involved, the vast majority of the rioters were men. So how should we understand the place of masculinities and misogyny in these events, and in extreme movements more generally? What should we make of the response of the authorities, focused largely on criminality, arrests, and imprisonment? How significant is the subsequent upsurge in anti-racism rallies across the country, which heavily outnumbered the far-right rioters?We talk to Dr Elizabeth Pearson about her recent book ‘Extreme Britain: Gender, Masculinity and Radicalisation’, which explores misogyny and masculinities in relation to the far-right (English Defence League, Britain First, and For Britain) and the Islamist group al-Muhajiroun. The book is based on interviews with figures including Anjem Choudary, Tommy Robinson, Jayda Fransen, and Anne Marie Waters. Elizabeth argues that radicalisation is a ‘masculinity project’ for those who get involved in extremism – both for those on the far-right, and those in Islamist groups.Elizabeth is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is also an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for Defence and Security Studies. Prior to academia, she worked as a radio journalist for the BBC.Profile: https://pure.royalholloway.ac.uk/en/persons/elizabeth-pearsonTwitter: https://x.com/lizzypearsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-pearson-3572a117/Elizabeth’s ‘Extreme Britain’ book: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/extreme-britain/She also co-authored ‘Countering Violent Extremism: Making Gender Matter’ (2020): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-21962-8Her Conversation piece about the riots: https://theconversation.com/the-hypermasculine-far-right-how-white-nationalists-tell-themselves-they-are-protecting-women-and-children-when-they-riot-236250Her writing for RUSI: https://rusi.org/people/pearsonEpisode timelineIntroduction (00:00-02:37)Elizabeth’s feelings as she saw the riots unfold (02:37-05:42)Government and public responses to the riots (05:42-09:30)Discourses about ‘protecting’ women and girls (09:30-14:41)Connections between misogyny, domestic abuse, and extremism (14:41-19:06)Men's responses (19:06-23:55)Break (23:55)Why extremist radicalisation is a ‘masculinity project’ (24:00-27:45)Similarities and differences between the far-right and Islamist extremism (27:45-33:37)Elizabeth’s experience of conducting her research (33:37-39:40)Women’s place in the far-right (39:40-49:11)What got Elizabeth involved in this area of research (49:11-54:12)Conclusion [The counter-protests; addressing the root causes; links between the mainstream and far-right; exploitation of working-class men; protest masculinity; engaging with people across divides] (54:12-01:02:29)ExplainersMore info at Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/case-files-hub/Tommy Robinson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_RobinsonAndrew Tate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_TateNigel Farage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_FarageGreggs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GreggsAnjem Choudary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anjem_Choudary‘Home Grown’ by Joan Smith - https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/joan-smith/home-grown/9781787476066/Prevent Strategy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONTESTUCL ‘Grievance’ research team: https://www.grievance-erc.comProf Joel Busher: https://pureportal.coventry.ac.uk/en/persons/joel-busherEnglish Defence League: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Defence_LeagueBritain First: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain_FirstFor Britain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Britain_Movement              Al-Muhajiroun: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-MuhajirounJayda Fransen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayda_FransenAnne-Marie Waters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Marie_WatersBoudica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoudicaPegida: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegida

Professor Jeff Hearn has been engaging in academic, activist, and personal work on men, masculinities, and pro-feminism for over 45 years. So how does he reflect on what he has observed over the course of his career, and in contemporary debates? For instance, what are ‘political masculinities’ and how are they playing out in today’s turbulent political climate? Is it possible to categorise different legal and policy approaches to men and gender equality across Europe? What counts as ‘violence’ and how should we understand the links between different forms? How can memory work help to explain the relationship between masculinity and ageing? These are some of the concepts and issues we explore in this wide-ranging episode, based on Jeff’s rich body of writing and research since the 1970s. Jeff’s work is well known in the field of critical studies on men and masculinities. He has also worked extensively on organisations, management and work, with special emphasis on gender, sexuality, diversity and intersectionality; and men’s violence to women and children. His wider interests include globalisation and transnationalisations, social theory, and cultural studies. He spent his early career at Bradford University in the UK, rising to became head of department. Since then, he has held various posts internationally, including: Research Professor in Social Sciences, Manchester University, UK; Professor of Gender Studies, Linköping University, Sweden; and currently Professor Emeritus, Management and Organisation, Hanken School of Economics, Finland; Senior Professor, Human Geography, Örebro University, Sweden; and Professor of Sociology, University of Huddersfield, UK. He was also a founder member of ‘Profeministimiehet’, Finland.Jeff’s work:https://www.hanken.fi/sv/person/jeff-hearnhttps://www.oru.se/english/employee/jeff_hearnhttps://pure.hud.ac.uk/en/persons/jeff-hearnEpisode timeline:Introduction (00:00-03:32)The ‘masculinity contest’ between Biden and Trump (03:32-11:50)‘Political masculinities’ and recent elections across Europe (11:50-19:38)Categorising policy approaches to gender equality and men in Europe (19:38-24:51)‘Violence regimes’ and interconnections between men’s violences (24:51-30:02)Break (30:02-30:08)Reflecting on Jeff’s career and the history of critical studies on men and masculinities (30:08-40:11)Focusing on men’s practices and ‘the hegemony of men’ (40:11-44:13)The Older Men’s Memory Work Group (44:13-50:43)Ageing and masculinity (50:43-52:38)Conclusion (Tap Social in Oxford; 'Strong' vs collective leadership; Older men and power; Violence against women and the 'Nordic paradox'; Ecological violence; Coercive control) (52:38-59:58)More info:‘Trump v Biden: A duel of contrasting masculinities’ (2020) https://theconversation.com/trump-v-biden-a-duel-of-contrasting-masculinities-148300‘Evaluating the concept of political masculinity/ies: A simple idea or a case of too many ideas?’ (2024): https://doi.org/10.1332/25151088Y2023D000000021‘European Perspectives on Men and Masculinities: National and Transnational Approaches’ (2006): https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230626447‘Violence regimes: A useful concept for social politics, social analysis, and social theory’ (2022) https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-022-09474-4‘The Violences of Men’ (1998): https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446279069‘From Hegemonic Masculinity to the Hegemony of Men’ (2004): https://doi.org/10.1177/1464700104040813‘Men’s Stories for a Change: Ageing Men Remember’ (2016): https://doi.org/10.18848/978-1-61229-860-3/CGP‘Routledge Handbook on Men, Masculinities and Organizations’ (2023): https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003193579James Messerschmidt: https://usm.maine.edu/directories/people/james-w-messerschmidt/Niels Spierlings: https://www.ru.nl/en/people/spierings-c  Raewyn Connell – ‘Masculinities’: http://www.raewynconnell.net/p/masculinities_20.htmlKopano Ratele: https://www0.sun.ac.za/psychology/staff/academic-staff/prof-kopano-ratele/’Men’s Stories for a Change: Ageing Men Remember’ (2016): https://doi.org/10.18848/978-1-61229-860-3/CGPFrigga Haug: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigga_HaugCollective Memory-Work: http://collectivememorywork.netTap Social: https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/14/oxford-brewery-helps-cut-reoffending-rates-by-training-jail-leavers-to-make-ale‘The Myth of the Strong Leader’ (2014): https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-myth-of-the-strong-leader-9781448156986

Why should we all be concerned by the content, production and dissemination of pornography today? What is the impact of the normalisation of porn culture on boys and young men? How can we help them to reject harmful and inequitable sexual behaviours and attitudes, live up to the values they hold, and build healthy, mutualistic relationships? In this episode, youth advocate and educator Daniel Principe talks frankly about what led him to speak out about pornography, and how he came to engage with boys and young men on these issues. He describes his innovative approach in schools and colleges across Australia, and talks movingly about the positive and thoughtful responses of the boys and young men he encounters. He emphasises the need to support boys through adolescence, to help them to critique the unequal culture they are growing up in, and to champion their fundamental decency and courage.  In Australia, Daniel is a member of the DART Institute (Domestic Abuse Resource and Training Group), an Ambassador for the Women’s Resilience Centre, and an Ambassador for the national campaign Consent Can’t Wait.Find out more about Daniel’s work: https://www.danielprincipe.com.auFollow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lastoftheromans/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-principe-8b7556ab/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdanielprincipeEpisode timeline:Intro (00:00-01:32)What led Daniel to start questioning pornography (01:32-06:01)How and why pornography has become so pervasive (06:01-12:53) Problems with the content of mainstream porn (12:53-18:39)Its impacts on men and boys (18:39-24:24)Damaging consequences for male sexuality (24:24-29:15)Break (29:15-29:21)Daniel’s work with boys and young men (29:21-39:18)What we can do about porn culture, personally and politically (39:18-51:52)Conclusion (Tensions between challenging and supporting boys; The need for structural change; The narrow, conservative, big business nature of porn; Profiting from cycles of shame; Boys’ capacity to critique; How porn constructs masculinity; Perpetuating the male gaze and the centring of men’s pleasure; ‘The end of masculinity’?) (51:52-59:59)More info: Read Daniel’s piece for SBS Insight: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/article/porn-taught-me-to-disrespect-women-from-when-i-was-11-now-i-try-to-tell-kids-whats-real/vbk4p7ggxAustralian Government ‘Consent Can’t Wait’ campaign: https://www.consent.gov.auAustralian eSafety Commissioner report, ‘Being a young man online’ (2024): https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/being-a-young-man-onlineAustralian Institute of Family Studies report, ‘The effects of pornography on children and young people’ (2017): https://aifs.gov.au/research/research-snapshots/effects-pornography-children-and-young-peopleOur Watch report, ‘Pornography, young people and preventing violence against women’ (2020): https://www.ourwatch.org.au/pornography-young-people-and-preventing-violence-against-womenAustralian National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032: https://www.dss.gov.au/ending-violence‘The Man Box 2024’ report: https://jss.org.au/programs/research/the-man-box/BBC Scotland survey of young British men: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51967295 Prof Michael Flood: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/m.floodDr Maree Crabbe: https://itstimewetalked.com/about-us/our-people/Prof Michael Salter: https://research.unsw.edu.au/people/professor-michael-alan-salterDr Fiona Vera-Gray’s new book, ‘Women on Porn’: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/454201/women-on-porn-by-vera-gray-dr-fiona/9781911709435Her research on the content of mainstream online porn: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azab035Robert Jensen, ‘Getting Off’: https://robertwjensen.org/books/getting-off/

Across the globe, men tend to have a lower life expectancy than women. Although there are still significant challenges facing women’s health, on issues ranging from cancer to suicide, men are faring badly. However, a closer look reveals that this picture varies significantly across different groups of men. Why is that? What role does masculinity play in shaping health inequities among men, and their experience of illnesses like prostate cancer? For Men’s Health Week 2024, we speak to Professor Derek Griffith about why an intersectional approach, which addresses issues such as economic inequality and structural racism, is vital to engaging with men and boys about their health and wellbeing.Derek is a Founding Co-Director of the Racial Justice Institute and Founder and Director of the Center for Men’s Health Equity at Georgetown University (Washginton, DC, United States), where he is a Professor of Health Management and Policy and Oncology. He also serves as the Chair of Global Action on Men’s Health, a global men’s health advocacy organisation. Find out more about Derek’s work: https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/0031Q00002J74ovQAB/derek-griffithFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrDMGriffithFollow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmgriffith/Global Action on Men’s Health: https://gamh.orgCenter for Men’s Health Equity, Georgetown University: https://cmhe.georgetown.eduEpisode timeline:Intro (00:00-01:28)Men’s Health Week and why it matters (01:28-02:34)Why an intersectional understanding of men’s wellbeing is needed (02:34-04:45)How health inequities manifest themselves in the US (04:45-06:01)The consequences of structural racism (06:01-09:35)The influence of masculinity on different groups of men (09:35-12:27)Understanding Black American manhood (12:27-15:10)Risk-taking (15:10-16:34)Men’s poor take-up of health services (16:34-19:52)Making healthcare more accessible (19:52-22:53)The costs of healthcare in the US (22:53-26:00)Break (26:00-26:07)Lack of discussion of men’s mental health in global policies (26:07-28:03)Men’s vulnerability and looking beyond individual explanations (28:03-30:13)What policy changes are needed (30:13-32:07)Masculinity and prostate cancer (32:07-40:10)Other forms of cancer experienced by men (40:10-42:09)Discomfort among male doctors (42:09-43:43)How we can engage with marginalised men and boys about their wellbeing (43:43-48:05)Fatherhood and (self)care (48:05-51:56)Conclusion (The structural dynamics of masculinity; The role of social class; ‘Dying of whiteness’; Relationships and women’s positive impact; Prostate cancer) (51:56-59:34)More info:Syndemics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndemic Tony Coles - ‘mosaic masculinity’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783308092882Tony Whitehead - Jamaican and African-American men, reputation and respectability: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.93.6.1050Steve Robertson - the ‘don’t care, should care’ dichotomy: https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459306061787Roland Thorpe - the cost of men’s health inequities: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2014/health-disparities-among-us-african-american-and-hispanic-men-cost-economy-more-than-450-billion-over-four-years Jonathan Metzl - ‘dying of whiteness’: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jonathan-m-metzl/dying-of-whiteness/9781541644960/?lens=basic-booksGlobal Action on Men's Health reports on cancer: https://gamh.org/cancer-charter/ And mental health: https://gamh.org/absent-minded/

Why do most men in politics avoid describing themselves and their politics as ‘feminist’? If they do support gender equality, why do they prefer instead to be called allies, advocates or supporters? What does this mean in practice for what men politicians do to promote women’s rights, and address harmful masculine norms? How are they seen by feminist activists, women politicians and young people? These are vital issues given the power men in politics have to drive (or obstruct) change towards gender equality and preventing violence against women. They are discussed in a report by Dr Ján Michalko for ODI, a global affairs think tank, drawing on case studies by research teams in Colombia, Liberia and Malaysia. We talk to Ján about the findings from the research, its implications for politicians, international donors, civil society and researchers on how to engage with men in positions of power, and what such men can do to promote the transformation of unequal gender norms, in politics and in wider society.Ján is a Research Fellow in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at ODI. His research interests are in gender inequalities, political engagement, masculinities, feminist foreign policy, and youth. His work includes supporting the digital ALiGN platform at ODI, which brings together global gender norms research and lessons for transformative change: https://www.alignplatform.orgFollow Ján on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ján-michalko-phd-54719251Twitter: https://x.com/MichalkoJanFollow ALiGN on Twitter: https://x.com/ALIGN_GenderODI website: https://odi.org/en/Read the full research series, including the cross-country analysis and in-depth country reports: https://www.alignplatform.org/research-series-men-politics-agents-gender-equitable-change Episode timeline:Intro (00:00-02:20)Why ALiGN wanted to research men in politics (02:20-05:35)The political context in Colombia, Liberia & Malaysia (05:35-08:53)Challenges of comparing across contexts (08:53-10:35)Interviewing men in politics (10:35-14:02)The reluctance of men politicians to take on the label ‘feminist’ (14:02-17:19)Actions speak louder than words (17:19-18:54)The risk of falls from grace (18:54-19:53)Factors shaping men politicians' engagement with gender equality (19:53-23:59)Differences across political parties (23:59-26:23)The electoral cycle (26:23-28:40)Break (28:40-28:46)Focus groups with students & activists about their views on men politicians (28:46-32:44)Anti-feminist backlash (32:44-35:55)Barriers & enablers to progress for gender equality politics (35:55-38:15)What actions men in politics can take (38:15-40:17)The influence they have on wider society (40:17-42:08)Their reluctance to reflect on masculinity (42:08-46:29)Ján’s own story of how he got involved in this work (46:29-51:20)Conclusion (Interactions with MPs Tony Benn & Peter Jackson; Men politicians’ motivations for supporting women’s rights over time; Pushes for the Australian govt to address violence against women; The impact women have on men; The risk of the political discourse moving backwards) (51:20-59:18)Explainers:George Weah ‘Declares himself 'Liberia's Feminist-In-Chief' - https://www.sheroesforum.com/d/5/38/982/Pres.-Weah-Declares-Himself-'Liberia's-Feminist-In-Chief';-Recommits-To-Women's-Cause‘Will Gustavo Petro live up to his promises to Colombia’s women?’:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/21/will-gustavo-petro-live-up-to-his-promises-to-colombias-womenMalaysia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, called for a feminist foreign policy in 2020: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2022/09/827413/feminist-foreign-policy-about-inclusiveness-decision-makingEllen Johnson Sirleaf (former president of Liberia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Johnson_SirleafRainbow Murray & Elin Bjarnegård, ‘Bringing men & masculinities into political science’ - https://doi.org/10.1332/251510823X16920325768482

Dr Ken Harland has been involved in youth work practice and research with boys and young men in Northern Ireland for the past 35 years. During that time, he has witnessed a transition from a culture in which violence and conflict was normalised, to one of peace-building and hope. But how were ‘The Troubles’ shaped by gender inequality? What impact did and does the conflict have on young men growing up, and on ideas of masculinity? How is it possible to reach disadvantaged boys and young men and help them find their voice in this context? And are there lessons for elsewhere from the political transformation of Northern Ireland towards peace?After being a community youth worker for 17 years, in 1996 Ken joined Ulster University and was co-founder and co-director of the ‘Centre for Young Men’s Studies’ there from 2005-2016. Since then he’s worked independently as a consultant, trainer, lecturer and researcher in youth and youth-related issues, and also works part-time as a Research Fellow and Consultant with Ulster University's longitudinal research initiative ‘Taking Boys Seriously’. In this episode, Ken talks movingly about his personal story, linking his early work experiences in the shipyards, to finding his passion in education, his relationship with his dad, and being a grandparent. Follow Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-harland-26b237b5/Read more of his research: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/persons/ken-harlandCheck out his book, ‘Boys, Young Men and Violence: Masculinities, Education and Practice’ (2015): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137297358 and recent journal articles...‘Taking Boys Seriously: A participatory action research initiative demonstrating the transformative potential of relational education’ (2024): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01425692.2024.2315121‘Embedding masculinities within a gender conscious relational pedagogy to transform education with boys experiencing compounded educational disadvantage’ (2024): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14681366.2024.2301726We cover the following topics:Ken’s experience of living through The Troubles (01:14-05:22)The place of gender in conversations about transition away from conflict (05:22-08:45)How men were expected to be ‘defenders’ and ‘protectors’ (08:45-11:52)The dominance of the ‘cult of the hardman’ (11:52-15:34)Similarities and differences in masculine pressures in different contexts (15:34-18:36)The impact of the police and army as well as paramilitary organisations (18:36-20:17)Hopes for a better future despite the challenges (20:17-25:07)The experiences of women during The Troubles (25:07-26:59)What led Ken to work on masculinity issues (26:59-35:30)The establishment of the Centre for Young Men’s Studies in Belfast (35:30-40:59)Making sense of how masculinity influences young men's (and our own) lives (40:59-46:46)Taking Boys Seriously: The need for gender conscious relational pedagogy (46:46-48:33)Practical lessons from Ken’s work with boys (48:33-53:04)Conclusion: Moving away from a culture of violence; Challenging the notion that boys don’t talk; Social change in Northern Ireland, including around Brexit and abortion; Connections with previous episodes, including #39 with Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee on gun violence in the US (53:04-01:00:45)Further info:About ‘The Troubles’ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles‘Tartan army: how Belfast gang culture morphed into paramilitarism’ (Irish Times) - https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/tartan-army-how-belfast-gang-culture-morphed-into-paramilitarism-1.2737322‘Belfast has more peace walls now than 25 years ago – removing them will be a complex challenge’ (The Conversation) - https://theconversation.com/belfast-has-more-peace-walls-now-than-25-years-ago-removing-them-will-be-a-complex-challenge-203975Northern Ireland Executive Office draft Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls - https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/topics/ending-violence-against-women-and-girls

The heavy toll of gun violence in the United States is having traumatising impacts on innumerable Black men and boys, many of whom will know one or more family members or friends who have died as a result. Yet there is widespread reluctance to consider the idea of vulnerability and victimisation among these young survivors. In this episode, we hear from Dr Jocelyn Smith Lee, who has herself experienced personal loss from the violence, about her work in the cities of Greensboro and Baltimore to challenge dehumanising narratives of Black men and boys and ensure that their voices and experiences are central to efforts to tackle the violence. We also learn about community initiatives helping these men and boys and their families heal from trauma and loss. Jocelyn is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She is also the founder and director of the Centering Black Voices research lab, and the founder and project lead for the visual storytelling campaign ‘In All Ways Human’, which was originally funded by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Award.Find out more about Jocelyn’s research: https://www.uncg.edu/employees/jocelyn-smith-lee/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-r-smith-lee-ph-d-577b6015/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrJocelynSmithIn All Ways Human campaign: https://inallwayshuman.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inallwayshumanTwitter: https://twitter.com/InAllWaysHumanCentering Black Voices research lab: https://centeringblackvoices.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/CenterBLKVoicesTopics we cover:The prevalence of gun violence in the US and its unequal impacts (01:12-04:26)The social contexts for Jocelyn’s research in Baltimore, MD and Greensboro, NC (04:26-08:47)The impacts of trauma and loss from gun violence on Black men and boys (08:47-14:57)(Limited) possibilities for turning points and perceived life expectancy (14:57-19:38)Why we are so reluctant to talk about vulnerability and victimisation among Black men (19:38-22:19)The ‘In All Ways Human’ campaign that Jocelyn has created (22:19-28:30)Telling a different, positive story, through the life-course (28:30-30:49)The effects that police violence has on Black men and boys and their families (30:49-37:08)Services which play a more positive role in their lives (37:08-42:02)How we can help Black men and boys to heal from this trauma and loss (42:02-46:29)The impacts of the violence on women and girls (46:29-48:50)The disproportionate responsibility placed on Black women (48:50-50:22)The recent reduction in homicides in Baltimore, and achieving political change (50:22-55:05)Conclusion (55:05-01:01:14), including: The shocking scale of the homicides, from a young age; How masculine norms can obstruct men from talking about fear and grief; Links with episode 38 with Nate Eisenstadt on non-punitive approaches; The power of Jocelyn's message of hope.More info:The killing of Freddie Gray after his arrest by Baltimore Police Department (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/20/freddie-gray-death-haunts-man-filmed-video-baltimore'Baltimore celebrates historic 20% drop in homicides even as gun violence remains high’ (Associated Press): https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-homicides-decrease-2023-d88000d65d3916d1fbbe6352becd8881‘How Baltimore invented neighborhood segregation’ (Vox): https://www.vox.com/2015/5/10/8578077/baltimore-segregation-pietila

What is 'discomfort', and how can we engage effectively with men when they display it in conversations about masculinity, gender equality and violence? How can connecting with discomfort help to change harmful attitudes and behaviours? What are the risks and challenges in embracing discomfort, and how can they be dealt with? These issues are at the core of our discussion with Dr Nate Eisenstadt, drawing on his extensive experience of facilitating and researching bystander intervention and domestic violence perpetrator programmes in the UK.We also explore the training room as a microcosm of wider society, and how discomfort and fear are often weaponised by public figures to promote damaging, polarising responses to complex real-world problems. Drawing on his earlier research on contemporary anarchist practices, Nate reflects on the challenges and potential of community-based transformative (as opposed to punitive) approaches to ending gender-based violence.Nate is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol in the UK, in their Medical School’s Domestic Violence and Health Group, and the Co-Director of Kindling Interventions, which delivers bystander leadership programmes for violence prevention, equality and diversity.Find out more about Nate’s research: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/nathan-eisenstadtLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nathan-eisenstadt/Kindling Interventions: https://kindling-interventions.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/KindlingIntervLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/kindling-interventions/We cover the following topics:The 'bystander leadership' training that Nate is delivering (01:31-05:16)Why he and Dr Rachel Fenton set up Kindling Interventions (05:16-09:03)Advantages and challenges with the bystander intervention approach (09:03-16:27)Different ways in which 'discomfort' can surface in this work (16:27-22:39)How to respond to discomfort when engaging with men and boys (22:39-30:57)The role of skilled facilitation (30:57-33:39)Facilitators’ own experiences of discomfort (33:39-37:24)How discomfort links to the backlash against feminism in wider society (37:24-42:46)Vital ingredients for impactful work with men who've perpetrated abuse (42:46-48:55)How this research links with Nate’s work on anarchist and anti-oppressive organising (48:55-52:06)Key tenets of anarchism and links with community accountability (52:06-53:58)Conclusion (53:58-59:54): Overlaps with Jens van Tricht's episode; the value of uncomfortable conversations; shifts in work with men who've used violence; the resonance of Nate's work with wider political polarisation; and anarchism and mutual aid.Further reading:The Intervention Initiative: https://law.exeter.ac.uk/research/interventioninitiative/Rachel Fenton, Helen Mott et al. (2016) A review of evidence for bystander intervention to prevent sexual and domestic violence in universities (Public Health England): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a802686ed915d74e622cc3b/Evidence_review_bystander_intervention_to_prevent_sexual_and_domestic_violence_in_universities_11April2016.pdfKelly Shaver (1970) Defensive attribution theory: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0028777Jonas Kaplan et al. (2016) Neural correlates of maintaining one's political beliefs in the face of counterevidence: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep39589Marshall B Rosenberg - Nonviolent communication: https://nonviolentcommunication.com

Now and Men is taking a break until February 2024, so in the meantime, to coincide with Veganuary and a new campaign called 'Vegan and Thriving' from the UK Vegan Society, we revisit episode 29 from June 2023, where we discussed masculinity and veganism with Dr Kadri Aavik. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of vegans in Europe has doubled from 1.3 million to 2.6 million. More and more people are questioning the consumption of meat and dairy for ethical, environmental and health reasons. The majority are women, but a significant number of men are vegans, too – and over 30% of Europeans say they are consciously eating less meat. In this episode, we explore men’s experiences and motivations for becoming vegan and how they deal with masculine expectations about food. Veganism and vegetarianism are sometimes portrayed as ‘unmanly’ and effeminate, whilst meat-eating is often associated with strength and virility. The meat and dairy industries are also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – might the climate crisis and increasing recognition of the harms caused by these industries be leading to changes in the behaviours of some men?Dr Kadri Aavik is an Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Tallinn University, Estonia. Kadri has written a book about her research in Estonia and Finland, ‘Contesting Anthropocentric Masculinities through Veganism: Lived Experiences of Vegan Men’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023). Research for the book was conducted as part of the project ‘Climate Sustainability in the Kitchen: Everyday Food Cultures in Transition’ (University of Helsinki, 2018-2022), funded by the Kone Foundation: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/projects/climate-sustainability-kitchen   Buy Kadri’s book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19507-5Find out more about her research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kadri-Aavik and https://www.etis.ee/CV/Kadri_Aavik/engTopics covered:Why food and eating are gendered (02:38-05:02)How to define veganism (05:02-06:49)Kadri’s research with vegan men in Estonia and Finland (06:49-09:41)Men’s motivations for becoming vegan (09:41-11:20)Kadri’s personal relationship with veganism (11:20-13:33)The connections between meat-eating and masculinity (13:33-15:02)Gendered differences in diets (15:02-17:14)Men’s engagement in household cooking (17:14-21:32)Navigating family relationships as a vegan (21:32-23:32)The influence of patriarchy on human relations with other animals (23:32-27:42)What this has to do with climate change and ‘Anthropocentric masculinities’ (27:42-32:10)Barriers to veganism for men (32:10-37:33)The different contexts of veganism in Estonia and Finland (37:33-41:39)The extent to which veganism is a ‘privileged’ phenomenon (41:39-44:35)Achieving institutional as well as individual change (44:35-48:48)Veganism as a form of activism, not just a ‘lifestyle choice’ (48:48-50:45)Impacts of veganism on men’s relationships (50:45-54:12)More info: Veganuary (where people try being vegan throughout January) - https://veganuary.comThe UK Vegan Society - https://www.vegansociety.comTheir 'Vegan and Thriving' campaign - https://www.vegansociety.com/get-involved/campaigns/vegan-thrivingRoutledge Handbook on Men, Masculinities and Organizations - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003193579/routledge-handbook-men-masculinities-organizations-jeff-hearn-kadri-aavik-david-collinson-anika-thymCarol Adams: The Sexual Politics of Meat - https://caroljadams.com/spom-the-book'Suella Braverman blames 'Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati' for disruptive protests' (Guardian, 18th Oct 2022) - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2022/oct/18/suella-braverman-blames-guardian-reading-tofu-eating-wokerati-for-disruptive-protests-video

Blake Morrison’s award-winning, bestselling memoir ‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’ is an honest and intimate portrait of family life, father-son relations, and the impact of bereavement. Since it came out in 1993, Blake has continued to revisit his family’s past through ‘Things My Mother Never Told Me’ (2002), and is ‘still working things out’ in his poignant recent book ‘Two Sisters’, about his sister Gill and half-sister Josie, published earlier this year.In this episode, Blake reads extracts from ‘Two Sisters’ and ‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’, and we explore with him key themes in his work, including: sibling relationships; family secrets; men controlling women; male violence; transitions in father-son relations; youthful rebellion, and becoming a man. We also discuss issues around men, emotion and grief, the genres of ‘sib-lit’ and ‘dad-lit’, and the impact of feminism on Blake’s own development and writing. As well as a memoirist, Blake is a poet, novelist, and journalist. His published work includes the poetry collections ‘Dark Glasses’, ‘The Ballad of the Yorkshire Ripper’ and ‘Shingle Street’, and most recently, ‘Skin and Blister’, and four novels, including ‘The Last Weekend’ and ‘The Executor’. He’s a regular literary critic for the Guardian newspaper and the London Review of Books, and is Professor Emeritus of creative and life writing at Goldsmiths University. Born in Yorkshire, he has lived in South London for many years. Find out more about Blake: https://blakemorrison.netMore info about ‘Two Sisters’: https://www.boroughpress.co.uk/products/two-sisters-blake-morrison-9780008510527/‘Things My Mother Never Told Me’ https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/357294/things-my-mother-never-told-me-by-morrison-blake/9780099440727‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’: https://granta.com/products/and-when-did-you-last-see-your-father/Blake’s ‘Top 10 books about fathers and sons’: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/nov/02/top-10-books-about-fathers-and-sons-blake-morrison-and-when-did-you-last-see-your-fatherWe cover the following in this episode:Reading from 'Two Sisters' (01:24-06:42)Blake’s motivations for writing the book (06:42-08:14)Why brothers don’t write about sisters (08:14-10:12)Examples of ‘sib-lit’ (10:12-11:47)The impact of alcoholism on Gill (11:47-13:46)Alcoholism and gender (13:46-16:04)Male violence and the efforts of adults to hide it (16:04-19:18)The significance of women in Blake’s life (19:18-21:02)The supposed stability of 1950s/60s family life (21:02-22:22)Reading from ‘And When Did you Last See Your Father?' (22:22-26:09)Why the book was so successful (26:09-27:47)The extent to which Blake’s portrayal of fatherhood was culturally specific (27:47-30:21)‘Dad-lit’ and other authors to read on father-son relations (30:21-32:28)Shifts in Blake’s relationship with his dad and how he saw him (32:28-34:41)Blake’s capacity for writing honestly and sensitively about emotion (34:41-37:21)Where Blake himself fits into his memoirs (37:21-39:39)Gender and dealing with grief (39:39-41:25)Why Blake kept his Dad's pacemaker (41:25-43:46)What led him to write ‘Things My Mother Never Told Me’ (43:46-46:43)The impact feminism had on Blake and his writing (46:43-50:32)The influence that poetry and literature can have on young men (50:32-55:03)

How can men contribute to gender equality and justice in the world? What can they learn from feminist approaches? How can they break free from the limiting expectations of what a 'real' man should be, and become more fully human? In this episode, we talk to Jens van Tricht, the author of an inspiring book 'Why Feminism is Good for Men', now translated from the original Dutch into English by Liz Waters - and launched with this episode of Now and Men! The book offers an accessible and hopeful perspective on men and masculinities, connecting the personal and the societal, the abstract and the concrete, the theoretical and the practical, the serious and the playful. Jens describes himself as an 'idealist, anarchist, and feminist'. In our discussion, we explore Jens's own journey and how these influences have played out: from childhood questions about gender norms, to teenage angst and punk music, the Amsterdam squatter and anarchist movements - and finding direction through Women's Studies, personal growth and feminist practice. Drawing on these experiences, ten years ago Jens founded Emancipator, an organisation which promotes gender equality and social justice by engaging with men and boys about issues including work and care, violence and safety, sexuality and sexual diversity. Jens is also a board member of the MenEngage Global Alliance.You can find out more about Jens’s work at https://www.jensvantricht.nl and Emancipator at https://www.emancipator.nl/en/emancipator-2/'Why Feminism is Good for Men' can be purchased in English on Amazon, and is also available in Arabic, Dutch, German and Korean: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Feminism-Good-Jens-Tricht-ebook/dp/B0C579ZY14/ref=sr_1_3Follow Jens on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jensvantricht LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensvantricht/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jens.vantricht.7We cover the following topics in this episode:What led Jens to write the book and why feminism is good for men (01:04-05:49)Jens's experiences as a child and how these influenced his thinking about gender (05:49-13:31)His 'journey' into feminism and formative experiences as a teenager, e.g. punk music and the Dutch squatter movement (13:31-20:20)Being a man in Women's Studies (20:20-25:47)What 'men’s liberation'/'emancipation' means (25:47-31:38)Seeing oneself as a human being rather than a man (31:38-35:06)Holding oneself to account as a man (35:06-39:18)Emancipator's approach to working with men (39:18-42:34)Why the process is so important (42:34-48:42)Why relationships, sexuality and intimacy are such vulnerable and insecure domains for men (48:42-51:10)The context of The Netherlands and its upcoming election in debates about masculinity and gender equality (51:10-55:25)Wrapping up (55:25-59:58)

Richard Bliss is an artist and tailor based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the North-East of England. He currently has an exhibition of work on display at Bishop Auckland Town Hall in County Durham called ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’. We recorded this episode in person with Richard in one of the galleries, and thank the curator, Debbie Connell, for making this possible.In our discussion Richard explains how he, as a gay man, seeks to understand masculinity and men’s lives through the process of making shirts, often in public places or community settings, reflecting and responding to conversations with individuals or groups. He guides us through the exhibition, telling us about some of the pieces, the ideas behind them, what they say about contemporary expectations of manhood, how they relate to his own experiences, and the contradictions of a man practising textile art and tailoring and using it as a way to engage with other men.You can visit ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’ at Bishop Auckland Town Hall until Thursday 30th November 2023: https://bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/gallery/current-exhibition/You can view photos of many of the shirts from the exhibition on Richard’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/richard_bliss_newcastle_/Or his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/richardne001There is more information about Richard and his work here: https://www.richardbliss.co.ukA second exhibition by Richard, ‘Workers’ Thread’, celebrates the contribution of working-class women and men to the history of County Durham, and is also on display in the Town Hall. We refer briefly to this at the end our conversation, and to the ‘The Mural of the Durham Miners’ Gala’ by Norman Cornish, which occupies a whole wall there.  We discuss the following topics in this episode:Why the exhibition is named ‘The Quest for the Perfect Shirt’ (01:25-06:38)Richard’s methods and why he uses shirts as his medium (06:38-11:04)Tailoring in public space and talking to people about masculinity (11:04-13:42)What Richard has learnt from the process (13:42-17:18)Favourite pieces from the exhibition – e.g. working with homeless men (17:18-24:14)The complexities of identity: being gay and being Jewish (24:14-30:50)Men and power at work (e.g. former Liberal Party politician David Steel) (30:50-36:53)How Richard got into textile art and tailoring (36:53-39:45)Ties and gendered power in clothing (39:45-42:41)Art and its social impact (e.g. Grayson Perry, author of ‘The Descent of Man’, 2021) (42:41-45:04)The influence of Durham and North East England, e.g. its working-class, trade union, mining history (45:04-50:01)Why the exhibition is in Bishop Auckland (50:01-55:28)Thinking about the future, and Richard’s next project on older gay men (55:28-59:55)For more information about the unique collection of galleries and gardens that make up the still developing ‘Auckland Project’ in Bishop Auckland including the Spanish Gallery, the Faith Museum, the Castle, the Mining Art Gallery, and the Deer Park, see: https://aucklandproject.org

What is 'patriarchy' and where do its origins lie? How did it become embedded in societies from prehistory to the present? What part do we all play in maintaining patriarchal structures, and can they be dismantled? These are some of the pressing questions we discuss in this episode with Angela Saini, author of a fascinating new book 'The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule' (Harper Collins): https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-patriarchs-how-men-came-to-rule-angela-saini?variant=39997855268942Angela is an award-winning British journalist, currently based in New York. She teaches science writing at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, presents radio and television programmes, and has written for National Geographic, the Financial Times, and Wired. In 2022 she was a Logan Nonfiction Program fellow, and a fellow of the Humboldt Residency Programme in Berlin. 'The Patriarchs' follows on from her earlier books, the critically acclaimed 'Superior: The Return of Race Science' and 'Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong'.Website: https://www.angelasaini.co.ukInstagram: https://instagram.com/angeladsaini/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasaini/We cover the following topics in this episode:Defining 'patriarchy' (01:01-02:32)'The Patriarchs' as a title (02:32-03:51)'Patriarchy' as a system (03:51-05:21)Motivations for writing the book (05:21-06:46)Animals and 'natural' male domination (06:46-10:32)Angela's journey exploring gender diversity in how people live (10:32-12:01)Matrilineal societies and why they are important (12:01-15:07)European colonialism and the imposition of patriarchal norms (15:07-16:08)The 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention and pre-existing Native American societies (16:08-20:14)Weighing archaeological, anthropological and ancient DNA evidence – the work of Marija Gimbutas (20:14-27:50)Colonial and patriarchal justifications for inequality, e.g. in Athens (27:50-33:43)Rise of the first states: organising around birth rates and defence (33:43-38:37)Putin's Russia as a model of the patriarchal state (38:37-40:54)Complexities of women and men supporting or resisting patriarchy (40:54-42:26)Shifting and reframing ‘patriarchies’ over time, e.g. Afghanistan (42:26-45:37)Hanging onto a positive vision of a radically different world, e.g. Iran (45:37-47:47)Explaining social behaviour and social change beyond biology (47:47-50:01)Angela's current and future projects (50:01-52:55)Conclusion (52:55-58:43)References:Marija Gimbutas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_GimbutasIan Hodder: http://www.ian-hodder.com/Gerda Lerner - ‘The Creation of Patriarchy’: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_of_PatriarchyJames Scott: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_C._ScottBob Pease - 'Facing Patriarchy': https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781350220027Reviews of 'The Patriarchs':Alex von Tunzelmann: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/mar/08/the-patriarchs-by-angela-saini-review-the-roots-of-male-dominationNatasha Walter: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/mar/19/the-patriarchs-by-angela-saini-review-why-its-still-a-mans-world

The Spanish women’s football team have shaken the world – first with their incredible World Cup success, then by bringing into question the sexist culture of soccer, stating #SeAcabó ('It's Over') and striking en masse in protest about their treatment by the football authorities. This was after the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, was accused of kissing the striker Jenni Hermoso without her consent on live TV during the final's medal presentation ceremony. In this special extra episode, we speak to prominent Spanish pro-feminist activist Hilario Sáez Méndez about how men have responded to the #SeAcabó movement, and how we can understand these events in the context of wider debates about gender equality, masculinity and men's violence against women in football and Spanish society. Hilario highlights the emergence of a stronger feminist consciousness in recent years, including: The #Cuéntalo ('tell it') movement after the horrific 2016 La Manada ('wolf pack') rape case in Pamplona: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/23/wolf-pack-case-spain-feminism-far-right-voxThe women’s strike in 2018 denouncing sexual discrimination, domestic violence and the gender pay gap: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/08/spanish-women-give-up-work-for-a-day-in-first-feminist-strikeThe 'solo sí es sí' ('only yes means yes') law passed in 2022: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/25/spain-only-yes-means-yes-sexual-consent-bill-expected-to-become-lawHe questions whether the statement by Cadiz's men’s football team - "we are all Jenni" - should in fact be "we are all Rubiales", recognising men's responsibility to address our own sexist behaviour, and that of other men: https://apnews.com/article/sevilla-hermoso-rubiales-kiss-tshirts-73b711b6412c729ec1a320f0f21d60f9Hilario is a sociologist, the President of the Fundación Iniciativa Social (Social Initiative Foundation), and an active member of Red de Hombres por la Igualdad (Men's Network for Equality) and MenEngage Iberia.Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hilariosaezLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilario-sáez-12801928/Read the statement from MenEngage Iberia, expressing their revulsion at the behaviour of Luis Rubiales: https://menengage.org/stories/the-actions-of-the-spanish-football-president-are-unworthy-of-his-position-and-of-the-institution-and-the-sport-he-represents/MenEngage Iberia: https://twitter.com/MenEngageIberiaMenEngage Alliance: https://menengage.orgFundación Iniciativa Social: https://fundacioniniciativasocial.es - @fis_tweetRed de Hombres por la Igualdad: https://redhombresigualdad.orgBook by Sandy, Stephen et al., 'Men's Activism to End Violence Against Women Voices from Spain, Sweden and the UK' (2021): https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/mens-activism-to-end-violence-against-womenFootage from Rubiales's infamous speech: https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2023/aug/25/luis-rubiales-refuses-to-resign-spanish-fa-president-videoHilario played a leading role in the men's march in Sevilla against violence against women, which we covered in episode 6: https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/seville-marchListeners may also be interested in episode 16 with Dr Stacey Pope on building gender equality in football, which was recorded in the run-up to Euro 2022, the Women’s European Championships: https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/stacey-popeAnd episode 22 with Dan Guinness, which discusses masculine pressures within professional sport: https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/beyond-equalityWe cover the following topics in this episode: The impact of the women’s team’s success on Spanish society (01:15 – 03:49)The actions of Luis Rubiales and why this led to major protests (03:49 – 07:48)How Rubiales’s conduct fits into a wider pattern by the Spanish football authorities (07:48 – 11:43)What these events in football tell us about masculinity, gender relations and the political context in Spain (11:43 – 15:01)Differences in women’s football, e.g. less homophobia (15:01 – 16:45)Why the kiss is part of a much bigger systemic problem (16:45 – 19:52)Why the #SeAcabó movement is different to #MeToo (19:52 – 26:37)How different groups of men have responded to #SeAcabó (26:37 – 30:57)How MenEngage Iberia have been responding to what has happened (30:57 – 34:27)What Rubiales’s speech shows us about men’s complicity (34:27 – 38:13)The significance of recent shifts in gender relations, such as Spain’s ‘only yes means yes law’ (38:13 – 43:36)How hopeful Hilario feels about possibilities for change (43:36 – 47:18)

‘The Manosphere’ is a cluster of online groups who oppose feminism and believe that men are the true victims of gender inequality. There has long been backlash towards feminism, but its influence has grown in recent years, facilitated by the internet. Such groups include Men’s Rights and Father’s Rights Activists, Pick Up Artists (who instruct men on how to manipulate women for sex), and Men Going their Own Way (who avoid all relations with women). Incels, or ‘Involuntary Celibates’, have drawn most attention, not least because of a number of mass killings being ascribed to individuals associated with them. So what are Incel communities, why are they a cause of concern, and how should we respond to them? These are some of the issues we explore with expert Dr Lisa Sugiura.Lisa is a Reader in Cybercrime and Gender in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth in the UK. She is the Chair of Hampshire Constabulary's Force Strategic Independent Advisory Group.In 2021 she wrote a book called ‘The Incel Rebellion: The Rise of the Manosphere and the Virtual War Against Women’. It is available to buy or read open access as an e-book here: https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/doi/10.1108/9781839822544Find out more about Lisa’s work: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/lisa-sugiuraFollow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_sugiuraLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-sugiura-a5214431/Lisa has been working with Tooled Up to develop resources for parents and educators: https://www.tooledupeducation.comShe is a Fellow of the Institute for Research on Male Supremacism: https://theirms.orgRead their recommendations for media reporting on Incels: https://theirms.org/forjournalistsIn this episode we also discuss an article by Alessia Tranchese and Lisa on ‘How Incels and mainstream pornography speak the same extreme language of misogyny’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801221996453And the book by Laura Bates, ‘Men Who Hate Women’: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Men-Who-Hate-Women/Laura-Bates/9781398504653Lisa also mentioned the work of Prof Rachel Pain on 'everyday terrorism': https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132513512231We cover the following topics in this episode:What the Manosphere is and why we should be concerned about it (01:00 - 05:21)The ideas and terminology used by Incels (05:21 - 08:28)How women are viewed within Incel communities (08:28 - 09:58)What led Lisa to carry out research in this area (09:58 - 14:02)How she went about conducting her research (14:02 - 15:59)Interviewing men in the Incel community (15:59 - 21:01)The impact of doing this work on her wellbeing (21:01 - 23:39)What happens when men leave Incel communities (23:39 - 27:01)The harms of the Manosphere (27:01 - 29:25)The threats online misogyny poses to democracy (29:25 - 31:06)The variety of men involved in Incel communities (31:06 - 33:28)The damage Incel communities do to men themselves (33:28 - 37:31)Official responses to the Manosphere and what needs to change (37:31 - 40:26)The responsibilities of social media companies (40:26 - 42:52)Possibilities for deradicalising or preventing men from becoming involved in the first place (42:52 - 45:21)Overlaps in discourses used by Incels and those in pornography (45:21 - 49:07)How to avoid giving these groups a bigger platform (49:07 - 53:27)

Work with men and boys has been growing rapidly in the last 30 years, especially around the issues of preventing violence and abuse, building gender equality, promoting fatherhood, and health and wellbeing. To what extent is this a positive development? What are some of the opportunities, challenges and problems that engaging men and boys brings? And how can this work be delivered most effectively, to have a serious impact in tackling issues such as gender-based violence? There are few experts around the world better equipped to provide answers to these questions than Prof Michael Flood. He gives an in-depth, critical overview of the ‘engaging men’ field, and discusses his own story of being an anti-sexist activist since the 1980s. He also explains why it’s vital to think about issues like pornography and online misogyny in this work, and gives some pointers for parents in how to address these issues with children, and sons in particular. Michael is a Professor in the School of Justice at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. He has written numerous academic publications on issues including violence against women and violence prevention, men and masculinities, pro-feminist men’s advocacy, male heterosexuality, fathering, and pornography. This includes a book with Palgrave Macmillan in 2019, ‘Engaging Men and Boys in Violence Prevention’. He also runs the website XY Online, which is full of resources on men, masculinities and gender politics.More info about Michael’s work: https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/m.floodFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelGLFloodLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-flood-5b906713/Read his book: https://xyonline.net/content/new-book-engaging-men-and-boys-violence-preventionCheck out XY Online: https://xyonline.netResources on men’s roles in ending violence against women: https://xyonline.net/content/engaging-men-violence-prevention-key-resourcesRead his articles mentioned in the episode:‘Work with men to end violence against women: A critical stocktake’ (2015) - https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2015.1070435‘Lust, trust and latex: Why young heterosexual men do not use condoms’ (2003) - https://doi.org/10.1080/1369105011000028273In this episode we cover the following topics: Why the ‘engaging men’ field has been growing, and why that’s a good thingKey lessons from research about how to engage with men and boysIssues of concern in the development of this workMistakes which can arise in work by and with men and boysThe tensions of having a public platform as a pro-feminist academic and activistThe usefulness of terms such as ‘toxic’ and ‘healthy’ masculinityTrends in work with men which should give us optimismWhy it’s important to think about pornography when addressing sexual violenceTalking to young men about pornography and online misogynyMichael’s PhD research on young men’s heterosexual relations with womenHow Michael first got involved in anti-sexist activism, and how he’s been able to maintain his commitment over timePlease note that the transcript is a rough estimation and is likely to contain errors - please do not reproduce it without permission.

How do different groups of men navigate urban life and enact masculinity in the bustling metropolises of contempory Indian society? In this special 30th episode, marking two years of Now and Men, we speak to Prof Sanjay Srivastava and Dr Romit Chowdhury about the ways in which male power and privilege is both threatened and re-asserted in different city spaces in India and beyond, considering issues such as nationalism, consumerism, violence against women, mobility, and relations between men. We discuss Sanjay's recent book, ‘Masculinity, Consumerism, and the Post-National Indian City: Streets, Neighbourhoods, Home’ (Cambridge University Press, 2022), and Romit's which comes out in August 2023, ‘City of Men: Masculinities and Everyday Morality on Public Transport’ (Rutgers University Press).Sanjay Srivastava is a British Academy Global Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS, University of London, and a Visiting Research Professor at Shiv Nadar University in Delhi. He has published numerous academic books and articles on topics including gender, urban social life, consumerism, middle-class cultures and the relationship between new forms of work and identity. More info about his work: https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/sanjay-srivastavaBuy his book: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/sociology/sociology-gender/masculinity-consumerism-and-post-national-indian-city-streets-neighbourhoods-homeWatch Sanjay discussing his article ‘Thrilling Affects: Sexuality, Masculinity, the City and ‘Indian Traditions’ in the Contemporary Hindi ‘Detective’ Novel’: https://vimeo.com/100405661Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sanjays54451327Romit Chowdhury is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Erasmus University College in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. His research interests are in urban studies, masculinity studies, ethnography, and literary theory. Prior to his research on men and transport he has explored masculinities in the contexts of men's rights movements, sexual violence, caregiving, and men doing feminist research and activism in India.More info about his work: https://www.eur.nl/en/people/romit-chowdhuryBuy his book: https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/city-of-men/9781978829503Watch Romit discussing his award-winning article, 'The social life of transport infrastructures: Masculinities and everyday mobilities in Kolkata': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWK2gbbqfAYFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chowdhury_romitWe cover the following topics in this episode: Why study masculinity and urban life Consumerism and the ‘post-national’ city in India, and what it has to do with genderHarassment and violence towards women in public spacesRomit’s research with male autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in KolkataThe unique methods Romit used to carry out his research The role of ‘homosocial trust’ between male transport workers and police officersWorking-class men’s struggles to accomplish ‘breadwinner masculinity’ in the cityThe characteristics of ‘Modi-masculinity’ and strongman politics in IndiaHow different groups of men make masculine cultures in Indian citiesHow Sanjay got involved in doing research on men, masculinities and cities in the first place Backlash against work on gender issues

Between 2016 and 2020, the number of vegans in Europe has doubled from 1.3 million to 2.6 million. More and more people are questioning the consumption of meat and dairy for ethical, environmental and health reasons. The majority of these people are women, but there are a significant number of men who are vegans, too – and over 30% of Europeans say they are consciously eating less meat. In this episode, we explore men’s experiences and motivations for becoming vegan, and how they deal with masculine norms and expectations about food. For instance, veganism and vegetarianism are sometimes portrayed as ‘unmanly’ and effeminate, whilst meat-eating is often associated with strength, virility, and masculinity. The meat and dairy industries are also major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – might the climate crisis and increasing recognition of the harms caused by these industries be leading to changes in the attitudes and behaviours of some men?We speak to Dr Kadri Aavik, who is an Associate Professor of Gender Studies at Tallinn University, Estonia. Kadri has written a book about her research in Estonia and Finland on men and veganism, which has been published this year by Palgrave Macmillan: ‘Contesting Anthropocentric Masculinities through Veganism: Lived Experiences of Vegan Men’. Research for the book was conducted as part of the project ‘Climate Sustainability in the Kitchen: Everyday Food Cultures in Transition’ (University of Helsinki, 2018-2022), funded by the Kone Foundation: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/projects/climate-sustainability-kitchen   Buy Kadri’s book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-19507-5Find out more about her research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kadri-Aavik and https://www.etis.ee/CV/Kadri_Aavik/engWe cover the following topics in this episode:Why food and eating are gendered (02:38-05:02)How to define veganism (05:02-06:49)Kadri’s research with vegan men in Estonia and Finland (06:49-09:41)Men’s motivations for becoming vegan (09:41-11:20)Kadri’s own relationship with veganism (11:20-13:33)The connections between meat-eating and masculinity (13:33-15:02)Gendered differences in diets (15:02-17:14)Men’s engagement in household cooking (17:14-21:32)Navigating family relationships as a vegan (21:32-23:32)The influence of patriarchy on human relations with other animals (23:32-27:42)What this has to do with climate change and ‘Anthropocentric masculinities’ (27:42-32:10)Barriers to veganism for men (32:10-37:33)The different contexts of veganism in Estonia and Finland (37:33-41:39)The extent to which veganism is a ‘privileged’ phenomenon (41:39-44:35)Achieving institutional as well as individual change (44:35-48:48)Veganism as a form of activism, not just a ‘lifestyle choice’ (48:48-50:45)Impacts of veganism on men’s relationships (50:45-54:12)Explainers: Routledge Handbook on Men, Masculinities and Organizations - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003193579/routledge-handbook-men-masculinities-organizations-jeff-hearn-kadri-aavik-david-collinson-anika-thymThe UK Vegan Society - https://www.vegansociety.comCarol Adams: The Sexual Politics of Meat - https://caroljadams.com/spom-the-book‘Suella Braverman blames ‘Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati’ for disruptive protests’ (Guardian, 18th Oct 2022) - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2022/oct/18/suella-braverman-blames-guardian-reading-tofu-eating-wokerati-for-disruptive-protests-video

Suicide is a major health and wellbeing issue among men, with the UK suicide rate three times higher for men than women. There are clear links to issues of masculinity here, such as pressures on men to never show ‘weakness’ or emotion, or the idea that it is ‘unmanly’ to struggle with one’s mental health or experience failure. However, the situation is complex. Some groups of men are much more likely to take their own lives than others. The factors at play can vary substantially. And whilst they are less likely to die, women appear to be more likely to attempt to take their own lives and experience suicidal thoughts than men. Professor Jonathan Scourfield talks us through these complexities, and helps us to understand what masculinity has to do with suicide.Towards the end of our conversation, we also talk about other significant aspects of Jonathan’s work in relation to engaging fathers, child welfare, and social work with men more generally. For help and support:In the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected] - https://samaritans.orgCALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) can be contacted on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm-midnight - https://thecalmzone.netThe youth charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email [email protected] - https://papyrus-uk.orgIn the US, call/text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 - https://988lifeline.orgIn Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.auOther international helplines can be found at https://befrienders.orgJonathan Scourfield is a Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Cardiff, Wales. He’s also a Deputy Director of CASCADE, the Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre. He has conducted an extensive body of research over his career on topics including child and family services, working with men, social work education, identity and religion in children, and suicide and self-harm. More info about Jonathan’s work: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/38087-scourfield-jonathanFollow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/j_scourfieldRead his paper, ‘Suicidal Masculinities’, in the journal Sociological Research Online (2005): https://www.socresonline.org.uk/10/2/scourfield.htmlHe also refers to the influential book he co-wrote with Brid Featherstone and Mark Rivett, ‘Working with Men in Health and Social Care’ (Sage, 2007) - https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/working-with-men-in-health-and-social-care/book228342  We cover the following topics in this episode:How accurate it is so say that men are less inclined to seek help (01:23 - 05:38)The range of factors which help to explain suicides among men (05:38 - 10:34)The relevance of feminist theories such as 'hegemonic masculinity' to male suicide, including links with violence and abuse (10:34 - 15:47)The influence of heteronormative pressures on men, and perceptions about mental illness (15:47 - 18:30)Understanding differences in suicide rates among men based on age (18:30 - 22:43)The impact of leaving the workforce on older men (22:43 - 25:03)The role of poverty and economic/geographical inequalities, and how women’s suicides fit into the picture (25:03 - 28:54)The preventative role of social networks, and the influence of gendered cultural scripts (28:54 - 34:26)Pressures faced by families (34:26 - 36:54)The role of the coroner's process (36:54 - 37:45)Policy responses to male suicide in the UK, and what more needs to be done (37:45 - 42:15)Jonathan’s research on engaging fathers in child welfare services (42:15 - 49:26)Contrasts with the ways in which mothers are seen by social services (49:26 - 50:59)The impact that feminism has had on Jonathan (50:59 - 54:13)Recap: Changes in public discourses around men’s mental health, the importance of relationships, the significance of employment to men, prevention efforts, the impact of Covid-19 (54:13 - 01:00:45)Explainers:ONS = UK Office for National StatisticsPSHE = Personal, social, health and economic education‘Lonely at the Top’ by Thomas Joiner (2011) - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780230341111/lonelyatthetop

Jackson Katz has long been a major figure in the growing global movement of men working to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence. He has also written and broadcast extensively about the central role of masculinity and gender in shaping political debates in the United States. With politics ever more polarised, authoritarianism and political violence – especially towards women – are becoming increasingly normalised, and figures such as Donald Trump and conservative media outlets are playing into patriarchal definitions of manhood and the family to appeal to the public.Jackson is an educator, author, lecturer, and social theorist. He is the author of ‘The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How all Men Can Help’, and ‘Man Enough? Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the Politics of Presidential Masculinity’. He has also created a series of educational documentaries including ‘Tough Guise’, ‘The Bystander Moment’ and ‘The Man Card’. In 1993, Jackson co-founded Mentors in Violence Prevention in the United States, a widely influential gender-based violence prevention programme which instigated the ‘bystander’ approach. He also has a PhD in Cultural Studies and Education. Jackson recently founded the online advocacy organisation and guerrilla think tank, ‘Men for Democracy’, as a way to amplify the voices of men who support reproductive justice and democratic governance, and oppose rising authoritarianism and the increase in violence and misogyny in politics. Find out more about Jackson’s work: https://www.jacksonkatz.comThe ‘Men for Democracy’ campaign: https://menfordemocracy.comRead Jackson’s commentary pieces at Ms Magazine: https://msmagazine.com/author/jkatz/Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacksontkatzInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksontkatzLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackson-katz-ph-d-b7785b3/Watch his TEDx Talk, ‘Violence against women – It’s a men's issue’, which has received more than 5 million views: https://youtu.be/KTvSfeCRxe8We discuss the following topics in this episode:The extent to which men are facing a ‘crisis of masculinity’ in countries like the US today (01:32 - 10:14) Why Donald Trump appeals to so many people, especially white working-class men (10:14 - 16:29)How US presidential campaigns have increasingly become the centre stage for debates about masculinity (16:29 - 28:51)How media such as Fox News have exploited patriarchal gender norms and contributed to political polarisation (28:51 - 34:18)Increases in threats of political violence, especially towards women, and how men should respond (34:18 - 40:26)The - often ignored - relationship between masculinity and gun violence in the US (40:26 - 49:49)What gives Jackson hope and motivation to continue doing this work (49:49 - 58:04)Why pro-feminists should be more ambitious in countering the seductive appeal of ‘men’s rights’ advocates such as Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson (58:04 - 01:02:55)

Responding to serious public concern following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer, together with multiple other deeply disturbing incidents, Baroness Casey’s recent independent review of London’s Metropolitan Police has highlighted institutional misogyny, racism and homophobia in the force. The review found serious failings in the Met’s leadership, recruitment, vetting, training, culture and communications, and made widespread recommendations for restoring public trust.In this episode, we talk to Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), about their response to the ongoing revelations coming out of the Met and Britain’s police forces; what needs to be done to take forward efforts to prevent violence against women and girls in the UK at this critical moment; and the contribution men and boys can make to that.The End Violence Against Women Coalition is a group of feminist organisations and experts across the UK, working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. It’s made up of over 135 specialist women’s support services, researchers, activists, survivors and NGOs. Andrea has worked at EVAW since 2017, and before that she campaigned on issues such as child trafficking and modern slavery and spent more than a decade working for Members of Parliament.Find out more about EVAW: http://evaw.org.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/evawukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/endviolenceagainstwomen/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evawuk/Follow Andrea on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreaSimon48We cover the following topics in this episode: The Casey Review of the culture and standards of behaviour within the Metropolitan Police, and responses to it (00:55 - 04:52)The gendered ways in which police resources are distributed (04:53-07:58)The extent to which reforming the police is possible (07:58-10:41)Seeking radical change whilst pushing for action in the here and now (10:41-13:05)Why prevention work is so important and what more needs to be done (13:05-16:57)The role of schools in prevention, and EVAW’s #AboutTime campaign (16:57-20:22)The contribution men and boys can make to ending violence against women (20:22-24:03)Tensions which can arise when working with men and boys (24:03-25:43)Shifts Andrea has observed during her time in the violence against women sector (25:43-30:03)What keeps Andrea motivated and hopeful in doing this work (30:03-32:26)Why an intersectional, anti-racist approach is so important (32:26-36:20)The impact of anti-immigration rhetoric on efforts to support victim-survivors (36:20-39:09)Backlash to gender equality from figures such as Andrew Tate (39:09-42:45)Tackling online abuse, and the UK’s Online Safety Bill (42:45-44:50)Bringing about political action (44:50-48:42)Why a feminist approach is so valuable (48:42-52:02)Further resources:EVAW’s #AboutTime campaign: https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/campaign/abouttime/EVAW’s campaign against online abuse: https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/campaign/online-abuse/Louise Casey's Report: https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/bcr/baroness-casey-review/Anti-Racism in VAWG Working Group: https://www.endingracisminvawg.orgUK Government ‘Enough’ campaign: https://enough.campaign.gov.ukA piece by Stephen, Sandy and Prof Nicole Westmarland for The Conversation from 2021, ‘Sarah Everard, police culture and the ‘masculinised’ workplaces we can all help change’: https://theconversation.com/sarah-everard-police-culture-and-the-masculinised-workplaces-we-can-all-help-change-169774The ‘Macpherson Report’ from The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry (1999): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-stephen-lawrence-inquiry‘‘We could have saved Sarah,’ says victim of Wayne Couzens’s indecent exposure’ (Guardian, 6th Mar 2023) - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/06/we-could-have-saved-sarah-says-victim-of-wayne-couzens-indecent-exposure‘‘Endemic’ sexism in Met police led to undercover deception, inquiry told’ (Guardian, 21st Feb 2023) - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/21/endemic-sexism-in-met-police-led-to-undercover-deception-inquiry-told‘David Carrick: Serial rapist Met Police officer in prison at least 30 years’ (BBC, 7th Feb 2023) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-64540800‘Sex education review is ‘politically motivated’, say teaching unions’ (Guardian, 8th March 2023) - https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/mar/08/sex-education-review-is-politically-motivated-say-teaching-unions‘Keir Starmer promises to halve violence against women as part of crime ‘mission’’ (Guardian, 23rd March 2023) - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/23/keir-starmer-promises-to-halve-violence-against-women-as-part-of-labour-crime-mission  ‘Operation Soteria: a new approach to investigating rape’ (Guardian podcast, 24th Oct 2022) - https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2022/oct/24/operation-soteria-rape-conviction-rates-podcastIf you have been affected by sexual violence, information and support is available from Rape Crisis: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/Contact the UK National Domestic Abuse Helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Some people migrate in search of work or economic opportunities, to join family, or to study. Others to escape war, conflict, persecution, or human rights abuses. Increasingly, people move in response to climate crises and natural disasters. Despite these realities, migration and migrants are often portrayed negatively by the media and politicians, with policy and legislation made more and more restrictive. Many of these people are men - however, migration is rarely discussed in relation to gender and masculinity. Migrating men are often perceived in purely economic terms, or as a ‘threat’, linked to criminality, sexism, and terrorism. But what do we know about these men’s actual experiences, and how they navigate masculine expectations and power relations? This is what Dr Katarzyna Wojnicka has explored in her research, particularly with a large yet under-discussed group – that of Eastern European men migrating across Europe from countries such as Poland. Katarzyna is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, based in the Department of Sociology and Work Science, and the Centre for European Research. She’s also an Editor in-Chief for NORMA, the International Journal for Masculinity Studies.Find out more about Katarzyna’s research: https://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/katarzynawojnicka and https://katarzynawojnicka.com Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrKandTheMen Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-wojnicka-787a7072/ In this episode we cover the following topics:Why men and migration is a topic worth studyingThe main pieces of research Katarzyna has conducted in this area, such as her research on ‘transnational bachelors’The vulnerabilities arising from migrationWhy there has been little attention towards Eastern European men in research on migration in EuropeResearching this topic as an ‘insider’Why Katarzyna left PolandWhy she decided to research men and masculinitiesAttacks on women’s and LGBTQ+ rights in PolandSingle male migrants’ constructions of masculinityThe problems with ‘protective masculinity’What ‘hybrid masculinity’ means in the context of migrationWhy a ‘spatial’ approach is vital to understanding masculinitiesImproving public policy responsesThe war in Ukraine, refugees and genderPolitical discourses about migration in the UKFurther reading:Here is a selection of papers by Katarzyna which we discuss in the episode:‘Migrant men in the nexus of space and (dis)empowerment’ (NORMA, 2017): https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2017.1342061‘Self-positioning as a man in transnational contexts: constructing and managing hybrid masculinity’ (NORMA, 2017): https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2017.1341768 'Research on men, masculinities and migration: past, present and future’ (NORMA, 2019): https://doi.org/10.1080/18902138.2019.1622058 ‘Boyz2Men: Male migrants’ attitudes to homosexuality and what age has to do with it’ (Boyhood Studies, 2020): https://doi.org/10.3167/bhs.2020.130205 ‘Understanding migrant masculinities through a spatially intersectional lens (Men and Masculinities, 2021)’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X20986224 ‘Hegemonic masculinity: Rethinking the concept’ (Connell and Messerschmidt, Gender and Society, 2005): https://doi.org/10.1177/0891243205278639‘Hybrid masculinities: New directions in the sociology of men and masculinities’ (Bridges and Pascoe, Sociology Compass, 2014): https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12134 ‘Suella Braverman condemned for suggesting 100 million migrants could come to UK’ (The Independent, 8th March 2023): https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/suella-braverman-asylum-small-boats-inflammatory-b2295776.html

War and militarism often play a central role in the construction of dominant, ‘desirable’ ideas about masculinity. So what happens when men refuse to take part in the militarisation of society, and become conscientious objectors? Dr Demet Aslı Çaltekin has researched this with people who have conscientiously objected against compulsory military service in Turkey. We were planning to interview Demet before the horrific earthquakes in Turkey and Syria took place, and she very kindly agreed to speak to us about the impact and response, amidst the mixture of emotions that many feel at present. Whilst the main focus of media and popular attention is rightly on the disaster and its aftermath, it is also an opportunity to highlight some of the other complex issues at the heart of Turkish society. We therefore talk with her not only about her research on militarism, but also how the feminist movement in Turkey has been creatively campaigning against femicide and violence against women.Demet is an Assistant Professor in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice in the Law School at Durham University. She has recently written a book called ‘Conscientious Objection in Turkey: A Socio-legal Analysis of the Right to Refuse Military Service’, published by Edinburgh University Press.Find out more about Demet’s research: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/demet-a-caltekin/Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemetCaltekinOrder her book, and save 30% with the discount code NEW30: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-conscientious-objection-in-turkey.htmlRead her 2022 article, ‘Women’s organisations’ role in (re)constructing the narratives in femicide cases: Şule Çet’s case’: https://doi.org/10.3390/laws11010012Please consider donating to organisations in Turkey/Syria undertaking relief efforts in response to the earthquakes: UK Disasters Emergency Committee: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appealTurkish Red Crescent: https://www.ifrc.org/article/turkiye-and-syria-earthquakes-ifrc-response-dateINARA – International Network for Aid and Assistance: https://inara.orgWhite Helmets Syria: https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/In this episode we cover the following topics:The impact of the earthquakesThe relief efforts and the national and international responseWhat military service in Turkey involvesWhat led Demet to do this research, and think differently about militarisationThe conscientious objectors who took part in her research and their motivationsHow Turkish society responds to people who conscientiously objectThe right to conscientious objection, and its legal and social consequencesHow militarism and nationalism fit into Turkish historyWhat militarism and refusing to participate in it has to do with masculinityHow and why Turkish women engage in conscientious objectionParallels with militarism in British societyThe value of a socio-legal approach, and working to change the lawThe war in Ukraine and refusing to fightFemicide in Turkey and the feminist movement’s response Challenges facing women’s civil society organisations in TurkeyThe Turkish government’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, and backlash against gender equalityFurther reading/listening:Cynthia Enloe’s 2016 book, ‘Globalization and Militarism: Feminists Make the Link’: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442265455/Globalization-and-Militarism-Feminists-Make-the-Link-Second-EditionNow and Men episode 11 with Prof Paul Higate, ‘Militarism and Military Masculinities: Why Do They Matter?’: https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/paul-higateNow and Men episode 8 with Prof Bob Pease, ‘Masculinities, Climate Change, and Men’s Relationships with Nature’: https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/climate-change

What can a historical and global perspective teach us about feminism and gender relations? How have men engaged with women's movements over the course of their history in the UK and beyond? And how have anti-sexist men dealt with the challenging questions feminists raise about our emotional and sexual lives within patriarchy? These are some of the questions Professor Lucy Delap has explored in her fascinating research.Please note that this conversation features some discussion of sexual violence, in particular between minutes 32 and 39.Lucy is a Professor in Modern British and Gender History at the University of Cambridge, where she is a Fellow of Murray Edwards College. Her research has principally focused on the history of feminism, and in 2020 she published the book ‘Feminisms: A Global History’. Lucy has also worked extensively in labour history, with a focus on the intersections of gender, class and disability. She helped create the ‘Unbecoming Men’ and ‘The Business of Women’s Words’ oral history collections at the British Library. She and colleagues were awarded the Royal Historical Society Public History Prize in 2018 for their work on child sexual abuse. Find out more about her work here: https://www.hist.cam.ac.uk/people/prof-lucy-delap, and follow her on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/suff66.In this episode we explore the following topics: What a historical perspective brings to our understanding of feminism, gender, and masculinities (00:42 - 02:47)How we can study the history of people’s intimate lives and the ‘private sphere’ (02:47 - 04:21)What led Lucy to become involved in studying gender, feminist history, and men’s responses to it (04:21 - 09:11)Lucy’s research on men who became involved in anti-sexist activism in the UK in the wake of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970s/80s (09:11 - 14:21)Why the nature of men’s pro-feminist political organising has changed over time (14:21 - 18:02)How and why the ‘men’s movement’ splintered off into different directions (e.g. mythopoetic and ‘men’s rights’ activism) (18:02 - 23:52)Why issues of emotion, such as guilt and shame, are so important in understanding men’s engagements with feminism (23:52 - 33:45)Men reflecting on and reconfiguring their ‘sex lives’ and the male gaze in response to feminist activism against sexual violence (33:45 - 43:48)The value of adopting a global perspective on feminist movements (43:48 - 49:25)Lucy reads from her book ‘Feminisms’ about the work of Nigerian feminist activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (49:25 - 55:07)Further reading:Lucy’s book, ‘Feminisms: A Global History’ (Penguin, 2020) - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/305361/feminisms-by-delap-lucy/9780141985985Information about Lucy’s ‘Unbecoming Men’ British Library project - https://www.bl.uk/womens-rights/articles/male-allies and https://www.bl.uk/sisterhood/articles/mens-reponses-to-womens-liberationLucy’s article, ‘Rethinking rapes: Men’s sex lives and feminist critiques’ in Contemporary British History (2022) - https://doi.org/10.1080/13619462.2022.2051489Lucy’s article ‘Feminism, masculinities and emotional politics in the late twentieth century’ in Cultural and Social History (2018) - https://doi.org/10.1080/14780038.2018.1518560‘30 years of the Child Support Act’ (UK Parliament, 2021) - https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/30-years-of-the-child-support-act/Berger, J. (1972) Ways of Seeing. London: BBC and Penguin Books.Butler, J. (2006) Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. London: Routledge.Roper, M. (2005) Slipping out of View: Subjectivity and Emotion in Gender History (in History Workshop Journal).Roper, M. and Tosh, J. (1991) Manful Assertions: Masculinities in Britain since 1800. London: Routledge. Segal, L. (1990) Slow Motion: Changing Masculinities, Changing Men, London: Virago.Smith, H. (2015) Masculinity, Class and Same-Sex Desire in Industrial England, 1895-1957. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.Tosh, J. (1999) A Man’s Place: Masculinity and the Middle-Class Home in Victorian England. London: Yale University Press.If you have been affected by sexual violence, information and support is available from Rape Crisis: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/

For over 10 years, Beyond Equality have been engaging with young men in the UK to give them a chance to reflect on who they want to be, and how they can help create safer and more inclusive communities. This was originally through two different organisations: the Good Lad Initiative in universities and Great Men in schools. Since then they have become Beyond Equality, and now work with men and boys in a range of different settings and communities across the UK. Dan Guinness, the Managing Director, was one of the founders - he talks to us about the journey the organisation has been on, and what they have learnt about how to engage men and boys in transformative conversations about issues such as gender equality, relationships, violence against women, and mental health.Dan has an academic background, holding a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oxford. He discusses with us some of the fascinating findings from his research on the links between sport, masculinity, global economic inequalities and neo-liberalism, and how this is embodied in the current Qatar 2022 men’s football World Cup. In addition, he explores the possibilities for healthy and inclusive environments to be created within sport, and his own powerful story of how he came to be involved in gender equality work.  You can find out more about Beyond Equality at: https://www.beyondequality.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/beyond_equalityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_equality/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondequality1Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danguinness/We cover the following topics in this episode: Dan’s personal journey of getting involved in issues of gender equality, masculinity and violence preventionThe extent to which egalitarian, non-violent cultures can be created in sportHow the rise of neoliberalism since the 1980s together with ‘breadwinner’ expectations have pressured young men in the Global South to become involved in professional sportHow Beyond Equality started and has changed over time, and the work it’s doing nowThe importance of good quality facilitation in work with men and boysHow Beyond Equality evaluate the impact of their work Future plans, including a new project with Movember about men’s mental health and collective resilience (more info: https://www.beyondequality.org/blog-posts/announcement-collective-resilience-in-community-settings-project-funded-by-movember) How debates in the UK about masculinity and violence against women have shifted in recent years, and what still needs to change at the policy levelMore information:You can access much of Dan’s research here: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Daniel-Guinness-2126813915Besnier, N., Calabrò, D.G. and Guinness, D. (eds) (2021) Sport, Migration, and Gender in the Neoliberal Age. Abingdon: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Sport-Migration-and-Gender-in-the-Neoliberal-Age/Besnier-Calabro-Guinness/p/book/9781138390652Besnier, N., Guinness, D., Hann, M. and Kovac, U. (2018) Rethinking masculinity in the neoliberal order: Cameroonian footballers, Fijian rugby players, and Senegalese wrestlers. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 60(4): 839–872. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417518000312Jackson, D. (1990) Unmasking Masculinity: A Critical Autobiography. London: Unwin. https://www.routledge.com/Unmasking-Masculinity-Routledge-Revivals-A-Critical-Autobiography/Jackson/p/book/9781138808713

Gary Barker has been a trailblazer in the field of men and masculinities for over thirty years. He is the co-founder and CEO of Equimundo (formerly known as Promundo-US and Instituto Promundo), which does a wide range of innovative work and research with men and boys for gender justice across the globe. We explore his own personal story of how he came to be involved in efforts against violence and for gender equality, and how his own ‘journey’ overlaps with the development of the organisations he has led. As well as hearing from Gary about some of the exciting current elements of this work, we discuss the political turbulence in the United States (where he is based) and Brazil (where he has lived for over fifteen years) in the midst of elections in the two countries. Gary also shares with us his experience of writing fiction, and the conversation ends with him reading a passage from his novel ‘The Museum of Lost Love’.Find out more about Equimundo and follow them on social media via https://equimundo.orgOn 8th November 2022 the Global Boyhood Initiative launched a report called ‘The State of UK Boys’ - read it here: https://boyhoodinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/State-of-UK-Boys-Long-Report.pdf (pdf)Watch the launch event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efxq6M9ESAMFind out more about Gary’s fiction writing: https://garytbarker.comWe discuss the following topics in the episode:How Gary became involved in working on issues of masculinity, violence and gender equality in the first placeGary’s PhD in Developmental Psychology, which researched young men’s experiences of growing up in societies with high levels of violence, and led to the book ‘Dying to be Men’ (more info:https://www.routledge.com/Dying-to-be-Men-Youth-Masculinity-and-Social-Exclusion/Barker/p/book/9780415337755#)The history of Equimundo, and how Gary’s personal story maps onto thatThe International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) survey and generational shifts that can be observed from itThe Global Boyhood Initiative – a collaboration with the Kering Foundation, Gillette, Plan International, and Meghan Markle (the Duchess of Sussex) and her new podcast ArchetypesCaring masculinities, the MenCare global fatherhood campaign, and why caregiving is such an important part of engaging with men and boys The political turmoil in the United States surrounding the midterm elections - from the attack on Capitol Hill, to the rolling back of abortion rights, to the ever-increasing toll of gun violenceConnections with the masculinist right-wing populism of the Bolsonaro government in BrazilThe four fiction books Gary has written and how they connect to his other workGary reads out and reflects on a passage from his novel ‘The Museum of Lost Love’ (2019), which is influenced by a real museum, the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb (more info: https://www.worldeditions.org/product/the-museum-of-lost-love/) More information:The Global Boyhood Initiative: https://boyhoodinitiative.orgLifting Limits are the organisation delivering the Global Boyhood Initiative in the UK: https://liftinglimits.org.uk/2022/05/gbiuk_launch/The MenCare global fatherhood campaign: https://men-care.orgThe International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES): https://www.menandgendersurvey.orgResearch with the Geena Davis Institute on representations of masculinity in boys’ television: https://www.equimundo.org/resources/if-he-can-see-it-will-he-be-it-representations-of-masculinity-in-boys-television/Article by Gary, Stephen and Sandy for the journal Men and Masculinities on ‘Covid-19 and Masculinities in Global Perspective’: https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X21100038The Equimundo report by Sandy and Stephen which influenced it: https://www.equimundo.org/resources/masculinities-and-covid-19-making-the-connections/A couple of times, Gary refers to ‘Raewyn’ – this is Prof Raewyn Connell, who we interviewed in episode 12: https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/raewyn-connell

In this special 20th episode, Sandy and Stephen reflect on the year since we started Now and Men, and our experience of running the podcast so far. The episode was recorded live at a workshop at a conference called 'Boys at the Crossroads – Insights and Innovations in Young Masculinities', organised by Bristol Young Men’s Network in the UK on 14th October 2022. We discuss why we set the podcast up in the first place, what it has achieved thus far, and the role that podcasts and other media can play in engaging with men and boys about gender equality and influencing constructions of masculinity. In the second half of the episode, we also respond to a range of questions from the workshop participants.The conversation was facilitated by Yaz Brien, who’s involved in Bristol Young Men’s Network, and has worked across the frontlines of homelessness, mental health, drug and alcohol recovery and domestic abuse, as well as on community reuse and nature-based projects. They’ve also been involved in grassroots organising and activism across multiple continents, including in worker, housing and community cooperatives. Many thanks to Yaz and the workshop participants for their brilliant contributions! If you would like to put a question or comment to us to discuss in a future episode, do contact us at [email protected]. Yaz is involved in the Transition Network: https://transitionnetwork.org/people/yaz-brien/, and has previously been a presenter on Ujima Radio, Bristol's Black-led community radio station: https://www.ujimaradio.comFind out more about Bristol Young Men's Network: https://www.facebook.com/BristolYMN/. In the episode we also mention talks at the conference by Lewis Wedlock: https://www.lewiswedlock.com, and Nate Eisenstadt: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/nathan-eisenstadt We discuss the following topics:Why we set up Now and MenWhat we wanted to achieve with the podcast, and how successful it's been so farThe response we've received, and what we know about Now and Men's audienceWhat's particularly excited us from the guests we've spoken to far, in relation to the conference theme of young masculinitiesHow to have conversations about masculinity without creating further polarisationWhat the role of feminism is in the podcastHow podcasts differ from other mediums and forms of engagementWhat we've learnt from the process and how it's changed usAdvice for others looking to start a podcastWho we have in our mind's eye when creating the podcastWith the following questions from participants:How skills from academia can help with setting up a podcastHow universities don't always provide welcoming environments for disadvantaged studentsConnections between the diversity of our guestsHow to deal with the limitations of what a podcast can achieveShould we strive for 'healthy masculinity', or seek to move away from it altogether?Difficulties with challenging gender stereotypes as parentsHow a historical perspective can help us understand how gender is constructed

What impact does domestic abuse have on boys when growing up? Why is it that so many young men who are ‘on-road’ or involved in gangs have experienced domestic abuse in the home as children? If the boundaries between being a ‘perpetrator’ and a ‘victim’ of violence are not always as clear cut as we might think, what implications does this have for trying to prevent violence from happening in the first place? We explore these challenging questions and more with Dr Jade Levell, who has recently written a book on her research entitled ‘Boys, Childhood Domestic Abuse and Gang Involvement: Violence at Home, Violence On-Road’, published by Bristol University Press in June 2022.Jade is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Gender Violence at the University of Bristol, and is part of the Gender and Violence Research Centre there. Prior to her research career she was based for over ten years in organisations working to end gender-based violence, including a refuge for women and children, a rape crisis centre, and other projects supporting survivors.Find out more about Jade’s work at https://jadelevell.com. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JadeLevell, and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jade-levell-88099830/. Buy her book: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/boys-childhood-domestic-abuse-and-gang-involvementWe cover the following topics in the episode: The impacts domestic abuse has on boys (01:17 - 02:56)What childhood domestic abuse and gang involvement have to do with each other (02:56 - 11:33)What Raewyn Connell’s concept of ‘protest masculinity’ means and how it was relevant in Jade’s research (11:33 - 14:56)Why and how Jade uses ‘music elicitation’ in her work (14:56 - 18:41)Why when talking about serious youth violence, we rarely think about gender (18:41 - 21:37)The implications of Jade’s research for policy and practice on preventing violence (21:37 - 24:44)The ‘cycle of violence’ theory (24:44 - 28:00)The police killing of Chris Kaba and the impacts of stereotypes about young Black men (28:00 - 32:12)Why Jade decided to carry out research on domestic abuse and boys and men in the first place (32:12 - 36:54)Researching these issues as a parent (36:54 - 40:16)What effective work with domestic abuse perpetrators looks like (40:16 - 49:25)Three songs which help to tell Jade’s own life story (49:25 - 53:13)Further reading:Piece by Jade for Transforming Society, ‘Invisible child victims of DVA become hyper-visible in gangs’ - https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2022/06/13/invisible-child-victims-of-dva-become-hyper-visible-in-gangs/Summary of policy recommendations from Jade’s book - https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2022/06/13/policy-briefing-boys-childhood-domestic-abuse-and-gang-involvement/Read more about Jade’s music elicitation method in the journal Sociological Review - https://thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/november-2021/methods-and-methodology/music-elicitation/Read more about Jade’s research on work with perpetrators of domestic abuse in the Journal of Gender-Based Violence - https://doi.org/10.1332/239868021X16425822261273‘Protests across UK over killing of unarmed black man Chris Kaba’ (The Guardian) - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/17/protest-uk-met-police-killing-black-chris-kaba‘A thousand young, black men removed from Met gang violence prediction database’ (The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/03/a-thousand-young-black-men-removed-from-met-gang-violence-prediction-databaseFor domestic abuse support in the UK, contact the National Helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk, the Men’s Advice Line: https://mensadviceline.org.uk, or the Respect Phoneline if you’re concerned about your own behaviour: https://respectphoneline.org.uk

How can we engage with men in the workplace about gender equality and masculinity? Sebastián Molano deals with this question on a day-to-day basis at Oxfam America, where he has facilitated a regular ‘men-identified’ group for the last 4.5 years, discussing men’s role in relation to gender justice issues such as privilege, accountability, and decolonisation. The group was established in part in response to sexual misconduct and power abuses by Oxfam staff which were uncovered in Haiti and other countries in 2017 and 2018.Sebastián has been working at Oxfam America for over 5 years, and now leads their efforts to translate intersectional feminism commitments into practice. He has over 16 years of experience in the international development field, working in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean. Sebastián also discusses the Defying Gender Roles initiative he set up, navigating the challenges of fatherhood in a patriarchal society, and how workplaces should do more to encourage caregiving. Originally from Colombia and now living in Boston, we ask Sebastián about responses to the overturning of the landmark 1973 Roe vs Wade abortion rights ruling in the US. Our conversation concludes by exploring the implications of Colombia recently electing its first ever left-wing president, and Sebastián’s experience of growing up in a society riven by conflict.You can follow Sebastián on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianmolano/ and Twitter: @JuanseMolano. Find out more about Oxfam America: https://www.oxfamamerica.org. Read about the Defying Gender Roles project: https://www.defyingenderoles.org, and follow it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/defyingenderoles/, and Twitter: https://twitter.com/DefygenderolesWe cover the following topics in this episode:Sebastián’s reflections on 4 years of fatherhood and trying to be a ‘feminist dad’Men’s experiences of parenting, our relationships with our own fathers, and with patriarchyThe men-identified group Sebastián facilitates at Oxfam AmericaKey lessons and advice about running a group discussing masculinity in the workplaceAddressing the loneliness and lack of connection many men feelChanging the culture at Oxfam after cases of sexual misconduct in Haiti and other countriesPromoting caregiving among men in the workplaceAttacks on abortion rights in the USThe recent election results in Colombia and what it means for gender equalityWhy Sebastián set up Defying Gender RolesFurther resources relevant to the episode:Sebastián’s piece, ‘How to become a feminist dad: Four years later’ - https://www.defyingenderoles.org/master-in-love/2022/8/5/how-to-become-a-feminist-dad-four-years-laterbell hooks (2004) ‘The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love’ - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Will-to-Change/bell-hooks/9780743456081David Spiegelhalter, ‘I’ve been meeting with the same group of men for 36 years – here’s what they’ve taught me’ (The Guardian) - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jul/23/meeting-same-group-men-years-david-spiegelhalterGender at Work podcast episode 22, ‘Feminist Reckonings or Feminist Wrecking Balls?’ -https://genderatwork.org/podcast-episodes/episode-22-feminist-reckonings-or-feminist-wrecking-balls/Oxfam discussion paper ‘Feminist Futures: Caring for People, Caring for Justice and Rights’ (2020) by Kim Piaget, Clare Coffey, Sebastián Molano, and Maria José Moreno Ruiz - https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/handle/10546/621046Report by Sandy for Oxfam in 2018, ‘Gender Equality is Everyone’s Responsibility: Oxfam’s work engaging men and boys for gender justice’ - https://oxfam.app.box.com/s/2sk4nd2i74otsm7ukiki082k3ole3i3xConversation UK article by Sandy and Stephen - ‘Roe v Wade: men benefit from abortion rights too – and should speak about them more’ - https://theconversation.com/roe-v-wade-men-benefit-from-abortion-rights-too-and-should-speak-about-them-more-185523Piece by Sebastián for Voice Male magazine, ‘Will peace ever get a chance in Colombia?’ - https://voicemalemagazine.org/will-peace-ever-get-a-chance-in-colombia/‘What it means to be a man and the struggle for gender equality’, TEDx Talk by Sebastián, 20 March 2015 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9vXNII7eI